Increased serum stromelysin-1 levels in systemic lupus erythematosus: Lackof correlation with disease activity

Objective, In view of evidence that stromelysin-1 and collagenase-1 are inv olved in tissue injury in inflammatory joint diseases, we sought to determi ne whether matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) are implicated in the pathophysi ology of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods. Seventy-three patients with SLE and 39 healthy subjects were evalu ated. Serum levels of MMP and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases were m easured. Results, Serum stromelysin-l levels were significantly increased in patient s with SLE (416 +/- 252 ng/ml) compared to healthy subjects (125 +/- 93 ng/ ml). No correlation between serial measurements of stromelysin-1 and diseas e activity in SLE patients was noted. Serum collagenase-1, gelatinase A, an d TIMP-1 levels were not increased in SLE. Conclusion. Serum concentrations of stromelysin-l are increased in SLE, but the levels do not correlate with disease activity.