Decreased MMP-9 activity in the serum of patients with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis.
Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and its inhibitor, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) are involved in tissue inflammation and fibrotic processes. We previously reported an elevated serum TIMP-1 level in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). We measured serum TIMP-1 and active MMP-9 levels in 62 patients with SSc, 10 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 15 normal controls using a modified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The active MMP-9 level in the serum of the patients with RA or SSc was not significantly different from that of controls. Serum MMP-9 activity in patients with diffuse cutaneous SSc was significantly decreased compared with that of limited cutaneous SSc or normal controls. The MMP-9 activity and modified-Rodnan total skin thickness score in patients with SSc were negatively correlated. Serum MMP-9 activity and TIMP-1 level in patients with SSc were not correlated. Serum MMP-9 activity might be a useful indicator of disease activity, especially skin severity, in SSc patients.
Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan. kikuchi-der@h.u-tokyo.ac.jp
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Kikuchi
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Kubo
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Hoashi
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Tamaki
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000201:enzymology*; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / Q000378:metabolism
D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9