Expression and Roles of MMP-2, MMP-9, MMP-13, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 in Allergic Nasal Mucosa

Purpose

Allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma share many characteristics, but structural changes are observed far less often in AR. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) constitute a family of Zn-dependent endopeptidases that can decompose the extracellular matrix and basement membrane, and regulate cell infiltration. We analyzed the expression of MMPs and their inhibitors, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), in allergic nasal mucosa after nasal allergen challenge (NAC) and determined their relationship to inflammatory cells.

Methods

Nasal mucosa specimens were obtained at surgery performed for hypertrophied turbinates. We performed NAC with house dust mite (HDM) allergen disks and control disks, and took biopsies at 30 minutes, 6 hours, and 12 hours after NAC. Cells expressing MMP-2, MMP-9, MMP-13, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2, as well as eosinophils and mast cells, were analyzed immunohistochemically. The MMPs and TIMPs in allergic nasal mucosa were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.

Results

At 30 minutes post-NAC, HDM-exposed nasal mucosa exhibited significantly more MMP-2+, MMP-9+, MMP-13+, TIMP-1+, and TIMP-2+ cells compared with control mucosa, and the numbers of MMP-9+ and TIMP-1+ cells correlated strongly with the number of mast cells. At 6 hours post-NAC, the numbers of MMP+ and TIMP+ cells did not differ significantly between HDM-exposed mucosa and control mucosa, but the ratios of MMP+ cells to TIMP+ cells were higher in HDM-exposed mucosa. At 12 hours post-NAC, the number of MMP-13+ cells tended to be higher in HDM-exposed mucosa and was strongly correlated with the number of eosinophils. Quantitatively, the levels of MMP-2 and MMP-13 were significantly higher than the MMP-9 level, and the TIMP-2 level was significantly higher than the TIMP-1 level in allergic nasal mucosa.

Conclusions

We demonstrated increased expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, and MMP-13 in allergic nasal mucosa, high MMPs-to-TIMP-1 ratios, and a strong correlation between MMP-9 and mast cells and between MMP-13 and eosinophils. The imbalance between MMPs and TIMPs may contribute to the migration of inflammatory cells such as eosinophils and mast cells to the nasal mucosa of AR patients, suggesting a possible active role of MMPs in AR.     

67ku层黏连蛋白受体促进肝癌细胞MMP-2和MMP-9的表达

目的研究分析67ku层黏连蛋白受体(laminin receptor,67LR)与肝癌细胞基质金属蛋白酶(matrix metalloproteinases,MMPs)及其组织抑制因子(tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases,TIMPs)表达的关系,探讨67LR促进肝癌细胞体外侵袭能力的分子机制。方法以67LR转染HepG2的稳定细胞株及其对照细胞为材料,采用半定量RT-PCR分析目前已知的23种MMPs和4种TIMPs的表达及变化情况,对表达有变化的基因采用荧光定量PCR进行验证,采用明胶酶谱分析MMP活性的变化。结果半定量RT-PCR和荧光定量PCR发现,67LR高表达的LR4细胞,其MMP2,9的表达比67LR低表达的LR6及对照组pcD-NA-1细胞明显升高,明胶酶谱分析也揭示,LR4细胞分泌的MMP-2和MMP-9的活性明显上升。结论67LR可以促进肝癌细胞MMP-2和MMP-9的表达和分泌,从而促进肝癌细胞体外侵袭能力。     

MMP-7、MMP-10和TIMP-4在心力衰竭心室重构中的表达

目的:应用细胞因子抗体芯片技术筛选与心力衰竭心室重构关系密切的基质蛋白酶。方法:从本院的心脏病组织库中挑选6例病理诊断明确和各方面资料比较齐全的致心律失常性右室心肌病引起心力衰竭的心脏病标本(来源于心脏移植的受体),与年龄、性别和种族等因素相匹配的正常对照心脏组织(来源于心脏移植的供体)进行细胞因子抗体芯片分析,筛选在致心律失常性右室心肌病引起的心力衰竭中差异表达的基质蛋白酶,并应用酶联免疫分析和免疫组织化学的方法加以验证。结果:在所筛选的17种基质金属蛋白酶中,只有MMP-7和MMP-10在致心律失常性右室心肌病引起心力衰竭中高表达,而在4种基质金属蛋白酶内源性组织抑制剂中,只有TIMP-4 低表达。经酶联免疫分析和免疫组织化学的方法证实,不仅在致心律失常性右室心肌病引起心力衰竭的心肌,在缺血性心肌病和扩张性心肌病引起的心力衰竭心肌中也发现MMP-7和MMP-10 的高表达及TIMP-4的低表达。结论:心肌组织中MMP-7和MMP-10的高表达及TIMP-4的低表达在不同心肌病引起的心力衰竭心室重构分子机制中可能发挥重要的作用。     

Differential expression of stromal MMP-1, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in basal cell carcinomas of immunosuppressed patients and controls

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have an important role in the initiation, growth, and invasion of malignant tumors. Basal cell cancer (BCC) is the most common human malignancy. The risk of BCC is 10–16 times higher among organ transplant recipients compared with the nontransplanted population. The aim of this study was to compare the expression of several MMPs and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) in BCCs from kidney transplant recipients and controls. Expression of MMPs-1, -7, -8, -9, -10, -13, -26, and TIMPs-1 and -3 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 25 samples of BCC of kidney transplant recipients and 25 matched controls representing superficial and nodular subtypes. No significant differences were detected in MMP expression of BCC tumor cells between immunocompetent and immunodeficient patients. However, MMPs-1 and -9 and TIMP-1 were expressed more frequently in stromal macrophages in the BCCs of immunocompetent patients. When tumor subtypes were compared irrespective of the patient group, more MMP-1-positive fibroblasts and MMP-9-positive neutrophils were detected in the superficial subtype, while stromal MMP-10 expression was more abundant in nodular tumors. Our results suggest that abundant peritumoral expression of TIMP-1 in non-immunocompromised patients limits ECM degradation permissive for cancer cell migration.     

Comparison of localized versus systemic levels of Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), its tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) and cytokines in tuberculous and non-tuberculous pleuritis patients

The interaction of Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), its tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) and pro-inflammatory cytokines in response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection is important to understand the immune response at the site of infection. We compared the levels of MMPs, TIMPs and cytokines in plasma (BL) and pleural fluid (PF) of tuberculosis (TB) and non tuberculosis (NTB) patients. Comparison between BL and PF showed significantly higher levels of MMP-1, TIMP-1 and -3 in TB PF; of MMP-7, -8, -9 in BL of both groups. Also, levels of MMP-1,-8,-9 and TIMP-3 were significantly higher in TB PF compared to NTB. Cytokines INF-γ, TNF-α, and IL-6 significantly increased in PF of both groups. A positive correlation of MMPs with TIMPs in TB, MMP-1 and -9 with IL-6 in TB PF and MMP-9 with IFN-γ in NTB PF was observed. This study implicates the possible usage of MMPs as bio-markers aiding diagnosis in TB pleuritis.     

Matrix metalloproteinases MMP-7, MMP-9 and their tissue inhibitor TIMP-1: expression in chronic sinusitis vs nasal polyposis

BACKGROUND: Nasal polyps (NP) are characterized by pseudocyst formation, whereas the mucosa in chronic sinusitis (CS) only shows a limited oedema. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of endopeptidases able to degrade the extracellular matrix. Differences in histological features between CS and NP might be related to the respective expression of MMPs and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate MMP-7, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 proteins in NP and CS in comparison with normal mucosa. METHODS: Nasal samples, obtained from controls (n = 10), from NP (n = 8) and from CS (n = 10), were analysed by immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: In NP, compared with controls, staining for MMP-9 and MMP-7 appeared in blood vessels. Matrix metalloproteinase-9-positive inflammatory cells could be detected in increased numbers in pseudocyst formations. Concentrations of MMP-9 protein was found significantly increased in both CS and NP compared with controls, while MMP-7 was significantly increased in NP compared with controls and CS. Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1 protein was significantly increased in CS and NP when compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic sinusitis and NP show different pattern of MMP-7/-9 and TIMP-1 expression. We suggest that this difference in regulation of enzymes is related to the respective tissue remodelling observed in both diseases.     

Vascular smooth muscle cells and pericytes express MMP-1, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and type I procollagen in inflammatory bowel disease

AIMS: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in tissue remodelling, which is one of the important aspects of inflammatory disease. To assess the balance between the matrix degradation and production, we analysed the in situ expression of MMP-1, -3, -8 and -9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1 and -2, and type I procollagen (PC-I) in inflammatory bowel disease. Methods and results: Immunohistochemistry using frozen sections was performed in 17 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 16 with Crohn's disease (CD). In both UC and CD, MMPs and TIMPs were expressed by inflammatory cells as well as by fibroblastic cells most prominently in actively inflamed areas in ulcer bases, but sparsely in intact inflamed mucosa in both UC and CD. In UC, inflamed mucosa with erosions expressed these substances focally. Fibroblasts also expressed PC-I. We identified that vascular smooth muscle cells of venules in ulcer bases expressed MMP-1 and -9, TIMP-1 and PC-I. These venules also expressed E-selectin, a cell adhesion molecule to facilitate the leucocyte extravasation, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor 2, consistent with their property of newly formed vessels. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that MMPs are involved in the tissue remodelling, angiogenesis and promotion of leucocyte extravasation in the actively inflamed area in the ulcer base in both UC and CD. MMP-1 expression in the mucosa may be related to the initial step of ulceration in UC. Therapeutic manipulation of extracellular matrix turnover would be an effective therapy to alleviate active inflammation and accelerate ulcer healing.     

Quantitative differences in matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, but not in MMP-9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 or TIMP-2, in seminal plasma of normozoospermic and azoospermic patients

BACKGROUND: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), have been detected in reproductive tissues and seminal plasma. The purpose of this study was to quantify MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in human seminal plasma and to evaluate their association with sperm. METHODS: Seminal plasma was analysed using ELISA assays for all four analytes in 12 normozoospermic and 12 azoospermic patients and then for MMP-2 only in another 114 men with azoospermia (n = 16), after vasectomy (n = 20) and with sperm counts within the following ranges: 0.3-19 x 10(6)/ml (n = 20), 20-23 x 10(6)/ml (n = 11), 49-57 x 10(6)/ml (n = 12), 96-110 x 10(6)/ml (n = 12), 139-161 x 10(6)/ml (n = 12) and 215-346 x 10(6)/ml (n = 11). Additional zymographic analyses using SDS-PAGE were performed. RESULTS: All investigated MMPs and TIMPs were detected. MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were not significantly different in normozoospermia and azoospermia. Only the MMP-2 concentration was significantly decreased in azoospermic compared with normozoospermic patients (mean +/- SD: 650.6 +/- 288.9 versus 1677 +/- 910.4 ng/ml respectively; P = 0.0002) and significantly correlated with the number of sperm (r = 0.54; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: MMP-2 in seminal plasma was strongly correlated to the sperm count in a linear fashion. Its origin and potential function remain to be elucidated.     

Thrombin and TNF-alpha/IL-1beta synergistically induce fibroblast-mediated collagen gel degradation

Degradation of preexisting and newly synthesized extracellular matrix is thought to play an important role in tissue remodeling. The current study evaluated whether thrombin and TNF-alpha/IL-1beta could collaboratively induce collagen degradation by human fetal lung fibroblasts (HFL-1) and adult bronchial fibroblasts cultured in three-dimensional collagen gels. TNF-alpha/IL-1beta alone induced production of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)-1, -3, and -9, which were released in latent form. With the addition of thrombin, the latent MMPs were converted into active forms and this resulted in collagen gel degradation. Part of the activation of MMPs by thrombin resulted from direct activation of MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, and MMP-9 in the absence of cells. In addition, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 production was inhibited by the combination of thrombin and TNF-alpha/IL-1beta. These results suggest that thrombin and TNF-alpha/IL-1beta synergize to induce degradation of three-dimensional collagen gels through increasing the production and activation of MMPs, and that this effect is mediated through both direct activation of MMPs by thrombin and indirectly by thrombin activation of fibroblasts. Through such mechanisms, thrombin could contribute to many chronic lung disorders characterized by tissue remodeling.     

Increased matrix metalloproteinases as possible cause of osseoarticular tissue destruction in long-term haemodialysis and β2-microglobulin amyloidosis

Immunolocalization of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in periarticular tissues of ₂-microglobulin amyloidosis patients was investigated. MMP-1 (interstitial collagenase) the most strongly expressed of the MMPs, was localized in the synovial lining cells, mesenchymal cells in granulation tissue and nodular amyloid deposits, and chondrocytes within areas of cartilage erosion. Expression of MMP-1 was correlated with the degree of macrophage infiltration and synovial cell hyperplasia, but it was not correlated with the degree of amyloid deposition or haemodialysis period. Expression of MMP-1 appeared more intense than that of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in highly inflammatory cases. MMP-2 was mildly expressed in the interstitial fibroblasts and MMP-3 was faintly stained in the extracellular matrix of the synovial membrane. MMP-9 (gelatinase B) was found to be strongly positive in the osteoclasts which increased in the progressing osteolytic lesion from the destructive arthropathy. These results suggest involvement of MMPs in inflammation with an imbalance between expression of MMPs and TIMPs being closely related to pathogenesis of the destructive arthropathy.     

The role of matrilysin (MMP-7) in leukaemia cell invasion

The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are important in tumour cell invasion and metastasis in many common cancers. However, relatively few studies have investigated the role of MMPs and their inhibitors, the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), in leukaemia cell invasion. This study examined two leukaemia cell lines, K562 and HL-60 and showed that the K562 cell line was four times more invasive than the HL-60 cell line. The expression of MMP-2, matrilysin (MMP-7), MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and TIMP-3 was analysed. Both cell lines produced similar amounts of MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-2. The K562 cells expressed more TIMP-1 than the HL-60 cells and neither cell line expressed TIMP-3. Interestingly, only the K562 cells expressed matrilysin suggesting a potential role for matrilysin in leukaemia cell invasion. In vitro invasion assays performed in the presence of a matrilysin blocking antibody showed a 40% reduction in invasive ability. This data suggests that matrilysin plays an important role in leukaemia cell invasion. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

咪达普利拉对人心脏成纤维细胞基质金属蛋白酶-2和抑制剂-2的作用及机制研究

目的：研究血管紧张素转化酶抑制剂（angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor，ACEI）咪达普利活性代谢物咪达普利拉对白细胞介素－1β（interleukin -1β，IL-1β）诱导的心脏成纤维细胞基质金属蛋白酶（matrix metalloproteinases，MMPs）和基质金属蛋白酶2型抑制剂（type 2 tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase，TIMP-2）表达的影响及其可能机制。方法:原代人心脏成纤维细胞从美国细胞应用所购买。用RT-PCR检测心脏成纤维细胞MMP-2、MMP-9和TIMP-2 mRNA水平的变化；用凝胶酶谱法分析心脏成纤维细胞中MMP-2、MMP-9的活性；用Griess方法检测培养上清一氧化氮（nitric oxide，NO）水平。结果:通过凝胶酶谱分析，RT-PCR和Griess方法发现IL-1β能显著增加MMP-2基因转录以及活性(P<0.05)，同时也显著增加了细胞培养上清中NO的产生(P<0.05)。IL-1β的这些效应可以被咪达普利拉和外源性NO合酶抑制剂L-单甲基精氨酸（NG-methyl L-Arginine，L-NMMA）所抑制(P<0.05)，而外源性NO供体亚硝基铁氰化钠(sodium nitroprusside，SNP）可以取消咪达普利拉对于NO、MMP-2的有效作用(P<0.05)。实验中发现IL-1β以及咪达普利拉对TIMP-2基因转录无明显作用(P>0.05)。结论:咪达普利拉能通过NO途径抑制IL-1β诱导的心脏成纤维细胞MMP-2的合成和活性；提示ACEI抗心肌重塑以及心力衰竭的部分作用可能是通过MMPs途径实现的。     

The effects of the initial treatment phase and of adjunctive low-dose doxycycline therapy on clinical parameters and MMP-8, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 levels in the saliva and peripheral blood of patients with chronic periodontitis

Introduction The treatment of periodontal disease can consist of bacterial plaque reduction, risk factor elimination, and metalloproteinase inhibitor medication. The level of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are regulated by endogenous tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) as well as therapeutic low-dose doxycycline. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of the initial phase of periodontal treatment and the effect of doxycycline on clinical parameters and the MMP-8, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 concentrations in the saliva and peripheral blood of patients with chronic periodontitis. Materials and Methods The study group consisted of 33 patients with chronic periodontitis. Conventional periodontal treatment (scaling and root planing) was conducted on all the patients and doxycycline (20 mg orally) was administered twice daily for three months. Thirty-three controls received the conventional treatment only. Clinical scores (PI, BI, PD, CAL) were recorded before and three months after the treatment. MMP-8, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 concentrations in saliva and peripheral blood were measured by ELISA before and after the treatment of 20 patients from the study group and 13 of the controls. Results The application of doxycycline 20 mg resulted in significant improvement in clinical parameters compared with the conventional periodontal treatment. Doxycycline did not produce significant reductions in MMP-8 and MMP-9 levels in saliva observed after the conventional treatment. The study revealed increases in the TIMP-1 concentration and the MMP-8/TIMP-1 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratios in saliva and blood after treatment with doxycycline. Conclusions The study confirmed the modulating effect of doxycycline on the host response in chronic periodontitis.     

Changes in matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors during interferon-beta treatment in multiple sclerosis

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) play a key role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) and have been proposed as biomarkers of response to therapy. We investigated serum levels of several MMPs and TIMPs in 43 relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients undergoing interferon-beta (IFN-b) treatment and classified as responders and non-responders based on clinical criteria. Levels of MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were determined by ELISA before treatment and after 3, 6, 12, and 24 months of therapy. Neutralizing antibodies were determined by the myxovirus A induction bioassay. Treatment with IFN-b induced changes in levels of MMP-9 and TIMP-1. In contrast to non-responders, IFN-b resulted in an early and sustained increase in TIMP-1 levels in MS patients who showed clinical response to IFN-b. The early and sustained increase in TIMP-1 levels could be a marker of the response to IFN-b during the first 2 years of treatment.     

Protein expression of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase 1 and 2 in papillary thyroid carcinomas

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) play an important role in tumor invasion and metastasis. There have been only a few studies on the protein expression of MMPs and TIMPs in thyroid carcinomas. Therefore, we investigated the protein expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in 86 papillary thyroid carcinomas using immunohistochemistry, semiquantitative scoring morphometry of immunohistochemistry, gelatin zymography, and western blotting. We also examined the correlations between the immunohistochemical scores and several clinicopathological parameters. The immunoreactivities of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 were largely located in the tumor cells or non-tumor follicular cells and to a much lesser extent in the fibroblasts and endothelial cells in the tumor and non-tumor regions. Compared with non-tumor regions, these four proteins tended to be overexpressed in the tumor cells; the overexpression was found in 64 of 86 (74%), 80 of 86 (93%), 79 of 86 (92%), and 64 of 86 (74%) cases for MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2, respectively. Gelatin zymography showed distinct bands of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in tumor extracts but vague bands in non-tumor extracts. Western blotting revealed the specific bands of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in both tumor and non-tumor extracts. Morphometric scoring revealed that high expression of these proteins significantly correlated with large tumor size, presence of lymph node metastasis, high clinical stage, high intrathyroidal invasion, and high vascular invasion. These data suggest that MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 proteins and activities are increased in tumors cells of papillary thyroid carcinomas and that they play an important role in the invasion and metastasis of papillary thyroid carcinomas.     

Matrix Metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13, Collagenase-3) is Highly Expressed in Human Tooth Pulp

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their specific tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) participate into extracellular matrix degradation in physiological and pathological conditions. We hypothesized that MMP expression in pulp tissue changes in response to caries attack and investigated the gene expression profiles of MMPs and TIMPs in pulp tissue of sound and carious teeth with cDNA microarray. cDNA microarray demonstrated an extremely high MMP-13 (collagenase-3) mRNA expression in pooled pulp samples of sound and carious teeth, with less pronounced expression of MMP-16 (MT3-MMP) and TIMP-1. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction of individual pulp samples revealed a wide range of the MMP-13 expression level between pulp samples with possible downregulation of MMP-13 expression during caries progression. Western blot and immunohistochemical staining confirmed the presence of MMP-13 with no observable differences between sound and carious teeth pulp tissues. The results reveal that MMP-13 is expressed and synthesized in pulp tissue, an interesting feature considering the very limited expression of MMP-13 in normal adult tissues. Further studies with a larger sample size are needed to clarify the changes in MMP-13 expression during caries progression.