Sera and salivary matrix metalloproteinases are elevated in patients with vesiculoerosive disease: a pilot study

BackgroundOral vesiculoerosive (VE) diseases, such as lichen planus and mucous membrane pemphigoid, are immune-mediated pathoses. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 are elevated in oral lesional biopsy specimens of patients with VE disease. However, the systemic levels and activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in this patient population are poorly understood. We performed a pilot study to determine whether the levels and activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 are elevated in the sera and saliva of patients with VE disease.Study DesignWe recruited patients with VE disease (n = 10) and healthy controls (n = 19). We collected sera and saliva and performed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays to measure MMP levels. We used gelatin zymography and Biotrak assays to determine enzyme activity. Data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test.ResultsThere was no difference in the activity of either MMP in the sera or saliva of patients with VE disease compared with controls. Significantly, MMP-2 levels were elevated in the sera of patients with VE disease (P < .0001), whereas MMP-9 was elevated in their saliva (P = .003).ConclusionsMMP-2 is elevated in the sera of patients with VE disease, and MMP-9 is increased in their saliva. Therefore, these enzymes may be potential markers of disease or therapeutic targets.