72-KDA AND 92-KDA GELATINASES IN SALIVA OF PATIENTS WITH HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS INFECTION

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV infection has been associated with p eriodontal diseases in HIV-seropositive patients. In periodontal disea ses, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) may play key roles in the extrac ellular matrix, basement membrane, serpin degradation, and modificatio n of cytokine action. We characterized the 72 kDa type TV collagenase (gelatinase A, MMP-2) and 92 kDa type IV collagenase (gelatinase B, MM P-9) in the saliva of HIV-seropositive patients and seronegative healt hy controls by activity measurements and quantitative immunoblotting. Immunoblot analysis with specific antibodies against MMP-2 and MMP-9 a nd their tissue inhibitors (TIMP-1, TIMP-2) disclosed that, independen t of the phase of the patients' HIV infection, their sal;vary samples contained higher amounts of MMP-2 and MMP-9 immunoreactivities in pro- and active forms and the TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 inhibitors than did the co ntrol samples. Healthy control saliva contained only slight immunoreac tivities for gelatinases and TIMPs. However, as judged by the studied clinical and microbiologic indicators, HIV-seropositive patients showe d only a slight tendency to develop periodontitis. Overall, an increas ed amount of gelatinases in saliva may reflect increased host response and defense activities in HIV infection.