Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-7, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 are closely related to the fibroproliferative process in the liver during chronic hepatitis C

Background/Aims: To study whether expression of matrix metalloproteinases a nd their inhibitors correlate with ongoing fibrogenesis, we measured hepati c mRNA levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-7, and MMP-9 as well as tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1, TIMP-2, and TIMP-3 and compared it to histology, procollagen IV alpha-1 chain mRNA levels, and bio chemical parameters in patients with chronic active hepatitis C (CAH). Methods: Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction/enzym e-linked immunossorbent assay using in vitro transcribed competitor and sta ndard RNA were performed from ten normal livers (N), 29 CAH liver biopsies and seven samples with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-induced end-stage cirrhosis (Ci). Results: From N to Ci both TIMP and MMP RNA expression increased. However, none of the RNA levels differed significantly between CAH patients with and without fibrosis. Non-parametric correlation analysis and receiver operati ng characteristics curves show that MMP-2, MMP-7, and TIMP-1 provide the be st discrimination between cirrhosis and pre-cirrhotic stages. They also cor relate with histologic and biochemical inflammatory activity and with proco llagen IV mRNA. Conclusion: Hepatic fibroproliferation is associated with alterations of he patic TIMP and MMP expression. The relation of hepatic TIMP and MMP mRNA le vels to disease stage and inflammatory activity underlines their potential as diagnostic markers in chronic liver disease. (C) 2001 European Associati on for the Study of the Liver. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All right s reserved.