MATRIX METALLOPROTEINASE PROFILE IN PATIENTS WITH CREUZTFELDT‐JAKOB DISEASE

Abstract

Preliminary findings suggest that abnormalities in matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity may be found in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). In this study of 16 subjects with CJD and 16 age-, and sex-matched controls, we determined the presence of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in their active and proenzyme forms, the relative levels of MMP-3 and four inhibitors of MMP activity (TIMP-1, TIMP-2, TIMP-3 and TIMP-4), and the concentration of 4-3-3 protein. The methodology used involved zymography and immunological techniques. The results indicate that, compared with controls, CJD patients have a significantly higher positive frequency of pro-MMP-9 and of the active form of MMP-2, along with significantly higher levels of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2, classical inhibitors of MMP-9 and MMP-2, respectively. We also found a positive correlation between 14-3-3 protein concentration and that of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 levels (correlation coefficients of 0.793 and 0.798, respectively). These results suggest that abnormalities in MMP and TIMP profiles may be helpful in the biochemical characterisation of CJD.