title: Role of matrix metalloproteinases in non-healing venous ulcers.
abstract: Chronic venous ulceration (CVU) of the lower limbs is a common condition affecting 1% of the adult population in Western countries, which is burdened with a high complication rate and a marked reduction in the quality of life often due to prolonged healing time. Several metalloproteinases (MMPs) such as MMP-9 together with neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) appear to be involved in the onset and healing phases of venous ulcer, but it is still unclear how many biochemical components are responsible for prolonged healing time in those ulcers. In this study, we evaluate the role of MMP-1 and MMP-8 in long lasting and refractory venous ulcers. In a 2-year period we enroled 45 patients (28 female and 17 male, median age 65) with CVU. The enroled population was divided into two groups: group I were patients with non-healing ulcers (ulcers that had failed to heal for more than 2 months despite appropriate treatments) and group II were patients with healing ulcers (ulcers in healing phases). MMP-1 and MMP-8 were measured in fluids and tissues of healing and non-healing ulcers by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot analysis, respectively. In particular the patterns of the collagenases MMP-1 and MMP-8 in healing wounds were distinct, with MMP-8 appearing in significantly greater amounts especially in the non-healing group. Our findings suggest that MMP-1, and MMP-8 are overexpressed in long lasting CVU. Therefore, this dysregulation may represent the main cause of the pathogenesis of non-healing CVU.
authors.affiliation: Interuniversity Center of Phlebolymphology. International Research and Educational Program in Clinical and Experimental Biotechnology, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.|Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Amato
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Coretti
authors.affiliation: Interuniversity Center of Phlebolymphology. International Research and Educational Program in Clinical and Experimental Biotechnology, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.|Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Compagna
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Amato
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical and Medical Science, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Buffone
authors.affiliation: Division of Surgery, Villa Fiorita Hospital, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gigliotti
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical and Medical Science, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Grande
authors.affiliation: Interuniversity Center of Phlebolymphology. International Research and Educational Program in Clinical and Experimental Biotechnology, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.|Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy.|Department of Surgical and Medical Science, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Serra
authors.affiliation: Interuniversity Center of Phlebolymphology. International Research and Educational Program in Clinical and Experimental Biotechnology, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.|Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy.|Department of Surgical and Medical Science, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: de Franciscis
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005122:Exudates and Transudates / Q000201:enzymology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D020784:Matrix Metalloproteinase 8 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014647:Varicose Ulcer / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D020784:Matrix Metalloproteinase 8; C522360:MMP1 protein, human; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1
keywords: Chronic venous disease; Chronic venous ulceration; MMP-1; MMP-8; Metalloproteinase