Changes of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in the serum of patients with autoimmune diseases: association with age and disease activity.

Matrix metalloproteinases participate in the degradation of the extracellular matrix proteins and are regulated mainly by their respective tissue inhibitors. In a variety of inflammatory connective tissue diseases, variations in the tissue content of both metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitors have been reported. The purpose of this study was to determine the serum levels of metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitors in patients with autoimmune diseases and compare with those of healthy individuals of similar age.

Solid phase assays in glycoconjugate research: applications to the analysis of proteoglycans, glycosaminoglycans and metalloproteinases.

Glycoconjugates are a class of macromolecules consisting of different constituents, one of which is sugar moieties. Glycoconjugates comprise the majority of tissue constituents, both intracellular and extracellular. Extracellular glycoconjugates (glycoproteins and proteoglycans) participate in a wide variety of interactions, through which they maintain tissue integrity.

Changes in HNK-1 epitope and collagen type IX in the aqueous humour of patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome.

Purpose: To investigate alterations in the proteoglycan (PG) and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content of the aqueous humour in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX).

Materials And Methods: Aqueous humor samples were obtained during cataract surgery from nineteen patients bearing PEX features and twenty-three age-matched normal controls. Protein and IgG were quantified densitometrically after their electrophoretic separation.

Matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in exfoliation syndrome.

The purpose of this study was to determine the expression of metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) in the aqueous humour of patients with exfoliation syndrome (XFS). XFS and control samples were analysed for their MMP content by zymography and for their tissue inhibitors by ELISA. In XFS eyes, an increase for up to 60% in almost all MMPs was observed, as compared to the controls.