Increase in the ratio of matrix metalloproteinase-9 to tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 in saliva from patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome.
BACKGROUND
To investigate the ratio of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) to tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) in primary Sjögren's syndrome (PSS), patients and healthy subjects MMP-2, 9 and TIMP-1, 2 levels were measured in saliva.


METHODS
Stimulated whole-mixed saliva was collected from 32 patients and 26 healthy subjects. MMP-2, 9 and TIMP-1, 2 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the sandwich enzyme immunoassay (sandwich EIA). Zymography and reverse zymography were used to identify MMPs and TIMPs.


RESULTS
MMP-9 (gelatinase-B) level in saliva was significantly increased in the patients. MMP-9 (ng/ml): patients 231.02 +/- 151.77 (mean +/- S.D.), healthy subjects 145.87 +/- 111.65 (p < 0.05). MMP-2 levels were not detected with this system kit in either healthy subjects or patients. The differences in TIMPs were only trends and not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Accordingly, MMP-9/TIMP-1 was greatly increased in the patients (2.60 +/- 1.18) than in the healthy subjects (1.28 +/- 1.11) (p < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
This study found that MMP-9/TIMP-1 and MMP-9 levels in the saliva were significantly higher in pSS patients than those in healthy subjects. Our results indicate that the increase in MMP-9/TIMP-1, rather than the increase in MMP-9, in pSS patients' saliva is strongly involved in destruction of glandular and salivary duct tissues.
Asatsuma
Masumi
M
Department of Oral Biological Science, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Science, Gakkocho dori 2-5274, Niigata City, Niigata 951-8514 Japan.
Ito
Satoshi
S
Watanabe
Mamoru
M
Takeishi
Hideyuki
H
Nomura
Shuichi
S
Wada
Yoko
Y
Nakano
Masaaki
M
Gejyo
Fumitake
F
Igarashi
Atsuko
A
D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism*; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism
D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9