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

El-Masry, Samir; Khalil, Mahmoud; Al-Badrawey, Mohamed; Shokhba, Mohamed

doi:10.21608/besps.2009.36724

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

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Molecular Biology Depart ment, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, Minufiya University, Sadat City, M inufiya, Egypt

² Chest Department, Faculty of Medic ine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt

³ General health insurance organization, Ibn Sina polyclin ic, El-Mahalla El-Kobra

10.21608/besps.2009.36724

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.