title: Serum matrix metalloproteinase-3 levels are elevated in myasthenia gravis.
abstract: MMP-3 is capable of degrading a variety of proteins, including agrin, which plays a critical role in neuromuscular signalling by controlling acetylcholine receptor clustering. The degradation of agrin by MMP-3 may disrupt the neuromuscular junction leading to a failure of neuromuscular transmission and muscle weakness. We have therefore examined the levels of MMP-3 in 116 patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) and 90 healthy controls. A significant elevation in MMP-3 levels was observed in 10% of seronegative and 17% of seropositive MG patients, indicating that MMP-3 may play a pathogenic role in a proportion of MG patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Haukeland University Hospital, N5021 Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: Fredrik R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Romi
authors.forename: Nils Erik
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Gilhus
authors.forename: Steven P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Luckman
mesh_terms: D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D006801:Humans; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 / Q000097:blood*; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3