Metalloproteinases-2, -9 and TIMP-1 expression in stable and unstable coronary plaques undergoing PCI.
BACKGROUND
Experimental models and ex-vivo studies suggest a crucial role of some matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the development of acute coronary syndromes, but expression levels of MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in human coronary plaques causing stable angina or an acute coronary syndrome have not been reported, yet.


METHODS
MMP-2, -9 and TIMP-1 expressions were assessed by real-time PCR from the debris collected into distal protective vascular guards from patients with stable angina (SA-Group, n=16), acute coronary syndrome (ACS-Group, n=16) undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). MMP-2 and -9 activities were also evaluated by gelatin-substrate zymography on plasma samples collected immediately before PCI, and compared to those of healthy subjects (Control-Group).


RESULTS
The expression of MMP-2 was similar in ACS and SA-Groups. MMP-9 (P=0.011), but not TIMP-1, expression was higher in debris samples from patients in the ACS-Group than in SA-Group. In both groups, the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were inversely correlated (rho=-0.7; P<0.004). Zymography data indicated that pro and active MMP-9 were higher in ACS than in SA-Group, while no difference in MMP-2 was found.


CONCLUSIONS
MMP-9, but not TIMP-1 or MMP-2 expression is increased in plaques causing acute coronary syndrome.
Fiotti
Nicola
N
Department of Clinical, Morphological and Technological Sciences, Internal Medicine Unit University of Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste, Italy. fiotti@units.it
Altamura
Nicola
N
Orlando
Claudio
C
Simi
Lisa
L
Reimers
Bernhard
B
Pascotto
Pietro
P
Zingone
Bartolo
B
Pascotto
Andrea
A
Serio
Mario
M
Guarnieri
Gianfranco
G
Giansante
Carlo
C
D000368:Aged; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000379:methods; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics
D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9