Elevated circulatory MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels and activities in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.
OBJECTIVE
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are suggested to play important roles in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This study is to examine the MMPs expressions and activities in Taiwanese RA and SLE patients.


METHODS
Levels and activities of plasma MMP-2 and MMP-9 were investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and zymography, respectively.


RESULTS
MMP-2 levels in control subjects, RA and SLE patients were 146.1+/-34.2, 194.0+/-24.2 and 208.9+/-75.9 ng/mL respectively, and for MMP-9 were 51.4+/-57.1, 567.7+/-313.1 and 208.7+/-105.5 ng/mL respectively. Both MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels and activities from all patients were significantly higher than that from control subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
MMP-2 levels in both patients groups were approximately 1.3-1.4 folds higher than that in control subjects, notably, MMP-9 levels were 11- and 4-folds significantly higher, respectively, in RA and SLE patients. The results which MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels and activities are significantly elevated support the involvement of MMPs proteins in these autoimmune disorders.
Chang
Yih-Hsin
YH
School of Medical Laboratory and Biotechnology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Lin
I-Ling
IL
Tsay
Gregory J
GJ
Yang
Shun-Chun
SC
Yang
Tzi-Peng
TP
Ho
Kuo-Ting
KT
Hsu
Tsai-Ching
TC
Shiau
Ming-Yuh
MY
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000201:enzymology*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000201:enzymology*; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000097:blood*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013624:Taiwan
C522361:MMP2 protein, human; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9