Clinical significance of serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase-13 in patients with systemic sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the clinical significance of serum matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) levels in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).


METHODS
Serum MMP-13 levels were determined by using a peptide substrate cleavage assay in 20 patients with diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc), 20 with limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc) and 10 normal controls.


RESULTS
The serum MMP-13 levels in patients with dcSSc or lcSSc were significantly lower than those in normal controls (53.4 +/- 14.1 vs 73.2 +/- 11.5 ng/ml, P < 0.0005; 59.4 +/- 14.8 vs 73.2 +/- 11.5 ng/ml, P < 0.005, respectively), but there was no significant difference in the serum MMP-13 levels between patients with dcSSc and those with lcSSc. Disease duration prior to the diagnosis was significantly shorter in SSc patients with decreased serum MMP-13 levels than in those with normal levels (3.0 +/- 2.2 vs 8.6 +/- 7.6 yr, P < 0.0005). In addition, serum MMP-13 levels were moderately correlated with the duration of the disease (r = 0.451, P < 0.05). Though there was no significant difference in the frequencies of pulmonary fibrosis or reduced %DLco (diffusing capacity of lung for carbon monoxide), the frequency of reduced %VC (vital capacity) was significantly greater in patients with decreased serum MMP-13 levels than in those with normal levels (73 vs 24%, P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Matrix metalloproteinase-13 may be involved in the fibrotic process of SSc, especially in the initiation of fibrosis. The serum MMP-13 levels may serve as a useful marker for the severity of pulmonary fibrosis in patients with SSc.
Asano
Y
Y
Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medical, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Ihn
H
H
Kubo
M
M
Jinnin
M
M
Mimura
Y
Y
Ashida
R
R
Tamaki
K
K
D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D017364:Collagenases / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053509:Matrix Metalloproteinase 13; D008875:Middle Aged; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013997:Time Factors; D014797:Vital Capacity
D015415:Biomarkers; D017364:Collagenases; C507079:MMP13 protein, human; D053509:Matrix Metalloproteinase 13