Determination of Matrix Metalloproteinases-9 in Egyptian Patients with Pulmonary Mycobacterium Tuberculosis

Abstract

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) constitute a large family of enzymes that degrade extracellular matrix proteins (ECM). MMPs are implicated in tissue remodeling processes such as wound healing, and pregnancies. MMPs also participate in some pathological conditions such as cancer. Recent studies have shown that MMPs are induced by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) during pulmonary infection. The aim of the present study was to determine the Matrix Metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9) levels in Egyptian patients with MTB compared to their levels in healthy control individuals. Forty six patients with MTB (group I) and forty three healthy volunteers (Group II) were included in the study. The concentrations of MMP-9 in the serum samples of the two groups were determined quantitatively by human MMP-9 enzyme–link ed immunoassay (ELISA) k it. The result showed that MMP-9 levels were significantly higher in MTB patients (p<0.0001), compared to their levels in healthy control group. MMP-9 levels were increased with increasing the severity of the disease, since, their concentrations were significantly increased in complicated cases compared with uncomplicated cases (p<0. 0001). In conclusion, our study suggests that, the higher levels of MMP-9 in patients with tuberculosis may be due to overexpression by a variety of cells including mononuclear phagocytes and stimulated neutrophils. Also, MMP-9 levels were directly proportional with the severity of the disease. Their rising levels may be used as indicator of MTB activity.