title: Increased presence of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 in short- and long-term experimental herpes simplex virus encephalitis.
abstract: Herpes simplex virus encephalitis (HSVE) causes elevated morbidity and mortality despite antiviral treatment. Virus-independent mechanisms may perpetuate brain damage. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) target extracellular matrix components. This study describes the protein and mRNA expression of MMP2 and MMP9 in experimental HSVE in the short and long term. Ten SJL-NBOM mice were infected with neurovirulent HSV-1 and compared with nine controls. The presence of MMP2 and MMP9 in brain tissue was analyzed with sodium-dodecyl-sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) gelatin zymography and mRNA expression of MMP2 and MMP9 with quantitative real-time PCR at days 7, 21 and 180 post-inoculation. Infected animals had a significantly elevated gelatinolytic activity of MMP2 at all time points, and of MMP9 at days 21 and 180. Increased presence of MMP2 and MMP9 in chronic HSVE may contribute to ongoing damage. Inhibition of MMP2 and MMP9 might be a suitable target for therapeutic intervention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany. francisco.martinez@med.uni-heidelberg.de
authors.forename: Francisco J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Martínez-Torres
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Haas
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kehm
authors.forename: Johann
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sellner
authors.forename: Werner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hacke
authors.forename: Uta
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Meyding-Lamadé
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000201:enzymology / Q000821:virology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D020803:Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9