Changes in serum levels of metalloproteinases and their inhibitors by treatment of chronic hepatitis C with interferon

Abstract

We treated 18 patients with chronic hepatitis C by recombinant interferon-alpha (6 MIU for 24 weeks). In seven patients, serum aminotransferase levels declined to normal (responders). To evaluate the effect of interferon on matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors, namely tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), the serum levels of these enzymes were determined by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) using a specific monoclonal antibody. In responders, there was a tendency, but not a significant one, towards either an increase in serum MMP 1 levels or a decrease in serum TIMP 1 levels. In contrast, in nonresponders, both a significant decrease in MMP 1 and MMP 3 and a significant increase in TIMP 1 were observed. The number of cases of either increase in serum MMP levels or decreased in serum TIMP levels was significantly larger in responders than in nonresponders. Furthermore, the ratio of MMP 1 to TIMP 1 significantly increased in responders, suggesting that the balance between matrix formation and degradation in hepatic fibrosis tended to move toward degradation. These data indicate that interferon may exert a beneficial effect on hepatic fibrosis in parallel with improvement of aminotransferase activity.

Interferon α increases metalloproteinase-13 gene expression through a polyomavirus enhancer activator 3-dependent pathway in hepatic stellate cells

“…These results agree with those reported in patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with IFNa [7,20,21].…”

Measurement of Matrix Metalloproteinases and Tissue Inhibitors of Metalloproteinases in Blood and Tissues: Clinical and Experimental Applications

“…67 In patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with interferon, responders had an increase in serum collagenase‐1 and a decrease in serum TIMP‐1; nonresponders had the reverse effect, suggesting that interferon may exert a beneficial effect on hepatic fibrosis. 68…”

Human Thyroid Carcinoma Cell Lines and Normal Thyrocytes: Expression and Regulation of Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 and Tissue Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitor-1 Messenger-RNA and Protein

“…Few studies have been published investigating the role of other MMPs in normal and pathological thyroid tissue by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry (13)(14)(15)(16). Furthermore, tissue remodeling includes both the action of MMPs and their inhibitors; thus, these enzymes could be involved in autoimmune and other nonautoimmune thyroid diseases during morphological changes (17,18). It is still unknown whether or not thyrocytes are able to express MMPs and TIMPs.…”