title: Elevated matrix metalloproteinase-9 in patients with systemic sclerosis.
abstract: Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cancer, autoimmune disease, and various pathologic conditions characterized by excessive fibrosis. In this study, we investigated the expression of MMP-9 and its clinical significance in systemic sclerosis (SSc). The patients (n = 42) with SSc had higher concentrations of MMP-9 and of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and a higher ratio of MMP-9 to TIMP-1 in sera than healthy controls (n = 32). Serum MMP-9 concentrations were significantly higher in the diffuse type (n = 23) than the limited type of SSc (n = 19). Serum concentrations of MMP-9 correlated well with the degree of skin involvement, as determined by the Rodnan score and with serum concentrations of transforming growth factor beta. Moreover, dermal fibroblasts from patients with SSc produced more MMP-9 than those from healthy controls when they were stimulated with IL-1beta, tumor necrosis factor alpha, or transforming growth factor beta. Such an increase in MMP-9 production was partially blocked by treatment with cyclosporin A. In summary, the serum MMP-9 concentrations were elevated in SSc patients and correlated well with skin scores. The increased MMP-9 concentrations may be attributable to overproduction by dermal fibroblasts in SSc. These findings suggest that the enhanced production of MMP-9 may contribute to fibrogenic remodeling during the progression of skin sclerosis in SSc.
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic Research Institutes of Medical Science, School of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea. wan725@catholic.ac.kr
authors.forename: Wan-Uk
authors.initials: WU
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: So-Youn
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Min
authors.forename: Mi-La
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Kyung-Hee
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Yong-Joo
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Sung-Hwan
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Chul-Soo
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Cho
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers; D002478:Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000097:blood; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000097:blood* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / Q000097:blood; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007375:Interleukin-1; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9