DISTRIBUTION OF THE MATRIX METALLOPROTEINASES STROMELYSIN, GELATINASE-A AND GELATINASE-B, AND COLLAGENASE IN CROHNS-DISEASE AND NORMAL INTESTINE

Aims-To investigate the role of the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) i n the connective tissue changes seen in the intestine in Crohn's disea se. Methods-Indirect immunofluorescence microscopy using specific anti bodies to the MMPs (collagenase, gelatinase A and B, and stromelysin) were used to assess the distribution of these enzymes in normal and di seased intestine. Results-In normal intestine the matrix metalloprotei nases were confined to a few isolated inflammatory cells, but in Crohn 's disease, the inflammatory infiltrate was associated with increased numbers of polymorphonuclear leucocytes which stained positive for gel atinase B. Stromelysin was also detected extracellularly on the connec tive tissue matrix in regions of smooth muscle cell proliferation and mucosal degradation. Interestingly, in ulcerative colitis, another inf lammatory bowel disease, stromelysin was localised in the lamina propr ia in regions of mucosal loss. Conclusions-The increased numbers of in flammatory cells containing gelatinase B, and the localisation of exta cellular stromelysin in regions of fibrosis and mucosal degradation, s uggest that these enzymes have a role in the pathological changes seen in Crohn's disease. In cases of ulcerative colitis stromelysin was al so detected on the lamina propria in regions of mucosal loss, and seem s to be associated with the connective tissue changes that precede muc osal loss.