title: Gelatinase expression at positive patch test reactions.
abstract: Matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) are proteolytic enzymes involved in tissue remodelling and extracellular matrix (ECM) turnover. They are secreted in a latent form and activated at the cellular surface by a membrane type-1 MMP (MT1-MMP) and a tissue inhibitor of MMP-2 (TIMP-2) that is also responsible for striking a balance between the proteolytic enzymes and TIMP-2. In allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) patients, MMP-2 and MMP-9, two members of the MMPs family, were increased during the challenge phase, in involved but not uninvolved skin. In contrast, TIMP-2 was more evident in uninvolved than involved skin, while no differences were observed with regard to MT1-MMP staining. Comparing the serum of ACD patients with that of healthy subjects, these differences were not observed. These data suggest that MMP-2 and MMP-9 could play a role in the mechanisms inducing alterations of the epidermal architecture, and in the pathogenesis of the lesions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases, Section of Internal Medicine, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Gianluigi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giannelli
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Foti
authors.forename: Felice
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Marinosci
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bonamonte
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Antonaci
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Angelini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000201:enzymology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism*; D053504:Matrix Metalloproteinases, Membrane-Associated; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010328:Patch Tests; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2; D053504:Matrix Metalloproteinases, Membrane-Associated; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9