Concentrations of circulating matrix metalloproteinase 9 inversely correlate with autoimmune antibodies to double stranded DNA: implications for monitoring disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus

• Published in: Molecular pathology Vol. 56; no. 4; pp. 244 - 247
• Main Authors: Makowski, G S, Ramsby, M L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Association of Clinical Pathologists 01-08-2003; BMJ Publishing Group Ltd; British Medical Journal Publishing Group
• Subjects: anti-double stranded DNA antibodies; Antibodies, Antinuclear - blood; Arthritics; Biomarkers - blood; DNA - immunology; DNA, Single-Stranded - immunology; double stranded DNA; dsDNA; EIA; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; enzyme immunoassay; erythrocyte sedimentation rate; ESR; Humans; IFA; indirect immunofluorescent antibody test; Lupus erythematosus; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic - immunology; matrix metalloproteinase; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 - blood; matrix metalloproteinases; Metalloproteins; MMP; Molecular Weight; neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin; Neutrophils; Neutrophils - enzymology; NGAL; Physiological aspects; Short Report; single stranded DNA; SLE; SLEDAI; ssDNA; systemic lupus erythematosus; systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index; Testing; TIMP; tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases; United States
• ISSN: 1366-8714; 1472-4154
• DOI: 10.1136/mp.56.4.244

Aims: To compare circulating matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) concentrations with antibodies to single and double stranded DNA (ssDNA and dsDNA) to determine their relation in inflammatory arthritic diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods: Fibroblast MMP-2 and neutrophil MMP-9 were resolved by gelatin zymography and measured by densitometry. Anti-ssDNA and anti-dsDNA were determined by enzyme immunoassay and samples grouped on antibody content as follows: low anti-ssDNA/low anti-dsDNA antibodies (group 1); high anti-ssDNA/low anti-dsDNA antibodies (group 2); and high anti-ssDNA/high anti-dsDNA antibodies (group 3). Results: Group 3 samples contained significantly lower amounts of MMP-9 when compared with group 1 samples. Higher molecular weight MMP-9 forms (130 and 225 kDa) were virtually absent. Group 2 samples contained intermediate MMP-9 concentrations. Fibroblast MMP-2 was unchanged in all groups. Mean complement C3 and C4 concentrations showed a consistent, but variably significant, decrease with increasing anti-ssDNA and anti-dsDNA antibodies. The mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate was raised in all patient groups. Conclusions: Neutrophil MMP-9, an inflammatory marker, inversely correlates with anti-dsDNA antibodies, which are a specific marker for SLE, and may be important in monitoring disease activity during antibody deposition in tissues.