title: Rapid increase in serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) postoperatively is associated with a decrease in the amount of intracellular MMP-9.
abstract: We have previously demonstrated a significant decrease in the serum concentration of intact insulin-like growth factor-binding protein (IGFBP-3) after laparotomy. IGFBP-3, a major IGF binding protein, inhibits the growth of tumor cells via several mechanisms. Our goal was to determine, in a murine model, whether matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), a known protease of IGFBP-3, is responsible for the postoperative decrease in serum IGFBP-3 levels. Six IGFBP-3 transgenic mice on a CD-1 background were used in this study. These mice over-express human IGFBP-3. Sham laparotomy, in the form of a midline abdominal incision, was the test procedure. General anesthesia was established using ketamine and xylazine immediately before a 30-minute sham laparotomy and before preoperative blood sampling, done via retro-orbital venipuncture, 48 hours before surgery. The animals were sacrificed and blood was drawn 24 hours postoperatively. Plasma MMP-9 activity was measured using zymography at each time point (48 hours before and 24 hours after operation). MMP-9 activity was also measured in mononuclear cell lysates at both time points. Zymography analysis demonstrated significantly higher plasma levels of MMP-9 postoperatively compared with preoperative levels (81 RU vs 40 RU; P < .05). In contrast, mononuclear cell levels of MMP-9 were significantly higher preoperatively compared with postoperative levels (37.5 RU vs. 0.75 RU, P < .05). Plasma levels of MMP-9, a known protease of IGFBP-3, are significantly elevated postoperatively. In addition, mononuclear cells that store MMP-9 are depleted of it postoperatively. This suggests that rapid MMP-9 release by mononuclear cells leads to an increase in serum levels of this protease postoperatively. Further studies will elucidate mechanisms of MMP-9-related IGFBP-3 depletion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA. belizon@nyc.rr.com
authors.forename: Avraham
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Belizon
authors.forename: Irena
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kirman
authors.forename: Moshe
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Karten
authors.forename: Suvinit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jain
authors.forename: Richard L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Whelan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D007424:Intracellular Fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D007813:Laparotomy; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism*; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000378:metabolism; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D011184:Postoperative Period
chemical_list: D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9