Plasma levels of matrix metalloproteinase‐9 in chronic urticaria patients correlate with disease severity and C‐reactive protein but not with circulating histamine‐releasing factors

Abstract

Plasma levels of MMP-9 and its inhibitor TIMP-1 are increased in CU patients. MMP-9 levels are associated with disease severity and CRP levels, but not with skin reactivity to autologous serum and with circulating histamine-releasing factors. These findings suggest that in CU there is an ongoing inflammatory process independent of the presence of circulating histamine-releasing factors.