BACKGROUND Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which show a significant ability to cleave the components of extracellular matrix, and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), which slow down the activity of those enzymes, may be implicated in the pathogenesis and spread of psoriatic disease. This study aims to analyze plasma levels of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in plaque psoriasis patients before a...

BACKGROUND Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) are thought to be associated with the pathogenesis and spread of psoriatic disease. This study was designed to investigate the plasma levels of MMP-3, MMP-9 and TIMP-3 in plaque psoriasis patients prior to and following a course of ultraviolet B narrowband treatment with respect to disease advancement. METHODS Pla...

BACKGROUND Excessive production of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) is linked to tissue damage and anastomotic leakage after large bowel surgery. Hence, the aim of this study was to verify whether different strategies of fluids administration can reduce MMP-9 expression. METHODS In the in vitro experiment, the authors tested the hypothesis of a direct inhibition of MMP-9 by the fluids used ...

Interleukin (IL)-31 is mainly produced by CD4+ T cells, in particular T cells skewed toward a Th2 phenotype. Here we report for the first time that IL-31 stimulates secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) from human colonic subepithelial myofibroblasts (SEMFs). The effects of IL-31 were investigated by cDNA microarrays, enzyme-linked immunosorbent...

The elucidation of the cellular and molecular mechanisms governing the maturation of the central nervous system (CNS) is rapidly emerging. Cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions play critical roles in all phases of developmental tissue remodeling. Throughout development, an intricate balance between extracellular matrix synthesis and degradation is preserved by the opposing actions of matrix me...

Background: Enhanced activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) has been reported to have a pathogenic role in several diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disorders, and seems also to play a part in certain autoimmune diseases. Objective: To examine whether enhanced MMP activity may also have a role in the pathogenesis of Wegener’s granulomatosis (WG). Methods: In a study group of 15 p...

Imbalance between matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs) is an important control point in tissue remodelling. Several findings have reported a marked MMP/TIMP imbalance in a variety of in vitro models in which oxidative stress was induced. Since previous studies showed that commercial hyaluronan and chondroitin-4-sulphate are able to limit lip...

Lipopolysaccharides or endotoxins elicit an excessive host inflammatory response and lead to life-threatening conditions such as endotoxemia and septic shock. Lipopolysaccharides trigger mobilization and stimulation of leukocytes and exaggerated production of pro-inflammatory molecules including cytokines and proteolytic enzymes. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) or gelatinase B, a protease st...