Inflammation in stasis dermatitis upregulates MMP-1, MMP-2 and MMP-13 expression

Stasis dermatitis is a common disorder, which is a consequence of impaired venous drainage of the legs. It is characterized histologically by prolifer ation of small blood vessels in the papillary dermis. This neovascularizati on may lead occasionally to the formation of discrete papules due to inflam matory processes. In order to evaluate the role of matrix metalloproteinase s (MMPs) in the acute phase of chronic venous insufficiency, we examined th e production of MMP-1, -2, -13 and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase ( TIMP)-1 and -2 in lesional skin of stasis dermatitis. A total of 19 patient s affected by stasis dermatitis were included in this experimental study. P olymerase chain reaction, western blot and immunohistochemical studies on t issue specimen were performed. In lesional skin of stasis dermatitis, there was elevated gene expression and immunoreactivity for MMP-1, -2 and -13 in comparison to healthy controls. In contrast, genexpression and immunoreact ivity for TIMP-1 and -2 were diminished in stasis dermatitis in comparison with healthy controls. Overexpression and production of MMP-1, -2 and -13 w ithout inhibitory effects could be the result of cytokine mediated inductio n. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) may play an important role in the remod eling of lesional skin in stasis dermatitis. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Irel and Ltd. All rights reserved.