MMP-9 and TIMP-1 before and after therapy with IFN-beta in multiple sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by a disregulation of the cytotoxic effects of cytokines, chemokines and proteolytic enzymes, among these metalloproteinases are a large family of Zn++ endopeptidases that destroy the extracellular matrix. MMP-9 is one of the most important components of these enzymes, produced by T lymphocytes and monocytes. TIMP-1 is its specific inhibitor. We studied, in a group of patients suffering from MS, the production of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in plasma and in supernatants of purified circulating monocytes, in different experimental conditions, before and after in vivo treatment with IFN-beta. We found a significant decrease of MMP-9 levels, both in plasma and in the cellular cultures,and an increase of TIMP-1 after therapy. We suggest that these parameters could be useful to monitor IFN-beta in vivo.