Monocyte matrix metalloproteinase production in Type 2 diabetes and controls--a cross sectional study.
BACKGROUND
Coronary plaque rupture may result from localised over expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) within the plaque by infiltrating monocyte-macrophages. As MMP expression can be promoted by the modified lipoproteins, oxidative stress and hyperglycaemia that characterises Type 2 diabetes, we hypothesised that peripheral monocytes in these patients, exposed to these factors in vivo, would demonstrate increased MMP production compared to controls.


METHODS
We examined peripheral venous monocyte expression of MMP and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in 18 controls and 22 subjects with Type 2 diabetes and no previous cardiovascular complications.


RESULTS
No significant difference in MMP-1, 3 or 9 or TIMP-1 production was observed between control and diabetes groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Monocyte MMP-1, 3, and 9, and TIMP-1, production are not abnormal in Type 2 diabetes. This data cannot be extrapolated to monocyte-macrophage behaviour in the vessel wall, but it does suggest MMP and TIMP-1 expression prior to monocyte infiltration and transformation are not abnormal in Type 2 diabetes.
Baugh
Mark D
MD
Bertram Diabetes Research Unit, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Trust, Norwich NR4 7UY, UK. mark.baugh@uea.ac.uk
Gavrilovic
Jelena
J
Davies
Isabel R
IR
Hughes
David A
DA
Sampson
Mike J
MJ