Matrix metalloproteinase-9 and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase-1 in plasma of patients co-infected with HCV and HIV.
BACKGROUND
Accelerated progression of hepatic fibrosis has been shown in patients co-infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV. Liver fibrosis is a dynamic process in which the altered balance between matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their specific inhibitors (TIMPs) may play a major role.


METHODS
The involvement of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in HCV liver disease progression in patients co-infected with HIV was evaluated. Plasma concentrations of human MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were assessed in 76 HIV-infected patients; 27 were co-infected with HCV and 49 were HCV negative. 18 healthy donors were included as controls.


RESULTS
Patients with HIV infection exhibited a striking increase in TIMP-1 levels; this is more evident in patients with advanced CD4 depletion. There was no elevation in the plasma concentrations of the MMP-9. The highest levels of TIMP-1 were found in the HIV/HCV co-infected patients. The values of TIMP-1 in HIV-infected patients with chronic HCV hepatitis were significantly higher than in HIV-positive individuals without HCV infection, even including those with low CD4 count. No significant differences were seen in the MMP-9 levels.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that the altered balance between circulating MMP-9 and TIMP-1 during HIV infection may play an important role in exacerbating liver fibrosis progression in patients co-infected with HCV.
Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, La Sapienza University, Rome. claudio.mastroianni@uniroma1.it
Claudio M
CM
Mastroianni
Grazia M
GM
Liuzzi
Gabriella
G
D'Ettorre
Miriam
M
Lichtner
Gabriele
G
Forcina
Nicola Francesco
NF
Di Campli
Paolo
P
Riccio
Vincenzo
V
Vullo
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000201:enzymology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000201:enzymology*; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000097:blood; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / Q000097:blood*
D015415:Biomarkers; D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9