title: Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and -2 in pediatric chronic otitis media with effusion.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the role of MMP-9 and MMP-2 in pediatric patients with middle ear effusion (MEE) and determine the pathogenesis of otitis media with effusion (OME) and allergy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The MEE samples were collected from 25 patients with allergy and 20 patients without allergy as a control. The levels of MMP-9 and MMP-2 were measured using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The activity of MMP-9 and MMP-2 were measured by gelatin-zymography. The Mann-Whitney U-test was used for comparisons between the allergy positive and control groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The level of MMP-9 was significantly elevated in MEE from the allergy positive group compared to controls. The amount of MMP-9 activity significantly increased in the allergy positive group compared to controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MMP-9 and MMP-2 are mediators of inflammation in the OME; in addition, MMP-9 may play a significant role in the pathophysiology of OME with allergy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hak-dong 8, Gwangju, South Korea. chulsavio@hanmail.net
authors.forename: Chul-Ho
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: Sung-Heui
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Hyong-Ho
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Seok-Jin
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.forename: Yong-Bum
authors.initials: YB
authors.lastname: Cho
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism*; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9