Matrix metalloproteinase-9 and matrix metalloproteinase-2 as biomarkers of various courses in multiple sclerosis.
BACKGROUND
Matrix metalloproteinases are notable contributors to neuroinflammation and blood-brain barrier disruption in multiple sclerosis (MS).


OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to determine the serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), and their tissue inhibitors (TIMP-1) and (TIMP-2), and to investigate their possible relations to type, disability, and severity of MS.


METHODS
Eighty-seven patients with definite MS according to the McDonald criteria and 50 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Their clinical status was evaluated with the Expanded Disability Status Scale. Serum levels were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunoassay.


RESULTS
A significant elevation in MMP-9 serum levels and in the MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio was found in the whole MS group (P<0.001), in the relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) (P<0.001), and secondary-progressive MS (SPMS) (P<0.001) groups when compared with the controls. A significant elevation in MMP-2 serum levels and in the MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio was observed in the primary progressive (P<0.001) and the SPMS (P<0.002) groups when compared with the RRMS group, and this increase was also associated with the disability (P<0.001) and severity (P<0.05) of the disease.


CONCLUSIONS
We confirmed that metalloproteinases are useful biological markers in MS, providing information about the clinical type, disability, and severity of the disease.
Benesová
Y
Y
Department of Neurology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic. beneivo@seznam.cz
Vasku
A
A
Novotná
H
H
Litzman
J
J
Stourac
P
P
Beránek
M
M
Kadanka
Z
Z
Bednarík
J
J
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006801:Humans; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000097:blood*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D020528:Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / Q000097:blood; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 / Q000097:blood
D015415:Biomarkers; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9