Effect of psoriasis activity on metalloproteinase-1 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 in plasma and lesional scales

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between psoriasis severity and concentrations of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in plasma and scales from psoriatic lesions, measured with an enzyme immuno assay in 24 patients and analysed with respect to psoriasis area and severity index (PASI). The mean plasma concentrations of both proteins in psoriatic patients significantly exceeded the control values. The proteins were also detectable in scales. There was a significant correlation between plasma MMP-1 concentration and the disease duration. The PASI values showed significant positive correlation with plasma TIMP-1 and significant negative correlation with MMP-1 content in scales. The highest plasma MMP-1 concentration was observed in patients with mild forms whereas the highest plasma TIMP-1 concentrations were demonstrated in severe forms of psoriasis. Our results confirm the role of these proteins in pathogenesis of psoriasis. In severe forms, a decrease in both MMP-1 and TIMP-1 was observed in scales, suggesting their insufficient tissue expression, which can be a crucial element of psoriasis aggravation.