Relationship between plasma matrix metalloproteinase levels, pulmonary function, bronchodilator response, and emphysema severity.
OBJECTIVE
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by chronic inflammation in the airway and lung. A protease-antiprotease imbalance has been suggested as a possible pathogenic mechanism for COPD. We evaluated the relationship between matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) levels and COPD severity.


METHODS
Plasma levels of MMP-1, MMP-8, MMP-9, and MMP-12 were measured in 57 COPD patients and 36 normal controls. The relationship between MMP levels and lung function, emphysema index, bronchial wall thickness, pulmonary artery pressure, and quality of life was examined using general linear regression analyses.


RESULTS
There were significant associations of MMP-1 with bronchodilator reversibility and of MMP-8 and MMP-9 with lung function. Also, MMP-1, MMP-8, and MMP-9 levels were correlated with the emphysema index, independent of lung function. However, MMP-12 was not associated with lung function or emphysema severity. Associations between MMP levels and bronchial wall thickness, pulmonary artery pressure, and quality of life were not statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Plasma levels of MMP-1, MMP-8, and MMP-9 are associated with COPD severity and can be used as a biomarker to better understand the characteristics of COPD patients.
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Medicine, Ilsan Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Goyang, Republic of Korea.
Hyeon-Kyoung
HK
Koo
Department of Internal Medicine and Environmental Health Center, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon-si, Republic of Korea.
Yoonki
Y
Hong
Department of Internal Medicine and Environmental Health Center, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon-si, Republic of Korea.
Myoung Nam
MN
Lim
Department of Internal Medicine and Lung Institute, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Jae-Joon
JJ
Yim
Department of Internal Medicine and Environmental Health Center, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon-si, Republic of Korea.
Woo Jin
WJ
Kim
D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 / Q000097:blood*; D053508:Matrix Metalloproteinase 12 / Q000097:blood; D020784:Matrix Metalloproteinase 8 / Q000097:blood*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000097:blood*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011656:Pulmonary Emphysema / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015854:Up-Regulation; D014797:Vital Capacity
D015415:Biomarkers; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; C488762:MMP8 protein, human; D020784:Matrix Metalloproteinase 8; C579270:MMP9 protein, human; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; C507122:MMP12 protein, human; D053508:Matrix Metalloproteinase 12; C522360:MMP1 protein, human; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1
bronchodilator response; chronic obstructive; matrix metalloproteinase; pulmonary disease; pulmonary emphysema; respiratory function test