Relation of matrixmetalloproteinases and infalammatory bowel disease

基质金属蛋白酶（MMP）-7，即基质溶解素，与肿瘤的侵袭和转移以及肿瘤的发生和生长有关。在以往的报道中，基质金属蛋白酶与自身免疫性疾病如类风湿性关节炎的关系进行了研究。然而，基质金属蛋白酶在炎症性肠病中没有详细研究。本研究对溃疡性结肠炎组织中的几种基质金属蛋白酶及其组织抑制剂（TIMP）进行了免疫组化分析。溃疡性结肠炎组织中MMP-2、MMP-3、MMP-9、TIMP-1和TIMP-2的表达在活检组织和手术切除组织中均未见明显上调或下调。有趣的是，在严重溃疡性结肠炎溃疡附近的上皮细胞中检测到基质溶解素（MMP-7）。而轻、中度上皮炎症区无基质溶解素表达。提示基质溶解素可能参与溃疡性结肠炎炎症后的修复过程。

Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-7, matrilysin, has been implicated in tumor invasion and metastasis as well as tumor initiation or growth. In previous reports, relation of matrix metalloproteinases and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis was investigated. However, matrix metalloproteinases in inflammatory bowel disease are not investigated in detail. In this study, several kinds of MMPs and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMP) were immunohistochemically analyzed in, especially, ulcerative colitis. MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were not remarkably up/down regulated in inflammatory region of ulcerative colitis using both biopsied specimens or surgically resected specimens. Interestingly, matrilysin (MMP-7) was detected in the epithelial cells near ulceration in severe ulcerative colitis. However, inflammatory region of mild to moderate epithelia did not show matrilysin expression. These results suggest that the role of matrilysin might be involved in repair process after inflammation in ulcerative colitis.