Tissue Inhibitor of Matrix Metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) and Pulmonary Involvement in COVID-19 Pneumonia

Background: The aim of the study was to longitudinally evaluate association between MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and chest radiological findings in COVID-19 patients. Methods: patients were evaluated based on their hospital admission (baseline) three months after discharge (T post) stratified into ARDS non-ARDS groups. As a control group, healthy donors (HD) enrolled. Results: At baseline, compared HD (n = 53), 129) showed higher plasma levels MMP-9 (p < 0.0001) activity MMP-2 0.0001). In 0.0339) 0.0044) 0.0258) 0.0021) observed. A positive correlation computed tomography (CT) score (ρ 0.2302, p 0.0160) T post, reduction 0.0001), whereas an increase observed 0.0088). Conclusions: with CT scores highlights its potential use as marker fibrotic burden. suggested that inflammation fibrosis resolution still ongoing.