ABSTRACT
Aim: To investigate the possible association between MMP-2 (-1575 G/A, -1306 C/T) and its inhibitor TIMP-2 (-418 G/C) functional polymorphisms with development of severity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Materials & methods: 150 SLE patients and matched healthy controls were recruited. Polymorphisms were detected by PCR-RFLP and serum levels by ELISA. Results: Mean MMP-2 and TIMP-2 serum level and mRNA expression were significantly increased in SLE cases as compared with controls (p < 0.0001). The concomitant presence of both MMP-2 1575A and its inhibitor TIMP-2 418C alleles synergistically increased the risk of SLE by 3.25-fold (CI: 1.44-7.34, p = 0.003). Conclusion: MMP-2, TIMP-2 and MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratios may act as biomarkers for susceptibility to SLE.
Subject(s)
Genetic Predisposition to Disease , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/genetics , Matrix Metalloproteinase 2/genetics , Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2/genetics , Adolescent , Adult , Female , Gene Expression , Genetic Markers , Humans , Male , Matrix Metalloproteinase 2/blood , Polymorphism, Genetic , Severity of Illness Index , Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2/blood , Young AdultABSTRACT
AIM: To investigate the possible association between MMP-9 (-1562 C/T) and TIMP-1 (372 T/C) polymorphism and inflammatory markers with disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. MATERIALS & METHODS: 150 SLE patients were recruited. Disease severity was assessed by SLEDAI (SLE disease activity index). The polymorphisms were detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and serum levels by ELISA. RESULTS: Among patients mean MMP-9 serum levels and mRNA expression were significantly decreased with increase in TIMP-1 levels (p < 0.0001). Concomitant presence of both MMP-9 1562 T and TIMP-1 372 C alleles synergistically increased risk of SLE by 7.89-fold (p < 0.0001). The mRNA expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 correlated with SLEDAI score. CONCLUSION: MMP-9, TIMP-1 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratios may act as biomarkers for susceptibility to SLE.
Subject(s)
Biomarkers/analysis , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/etiology , Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/genetics , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide , Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1/genetics , Adult , Case-Control Studies , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Genetic Predisposition to Disease , Genotype , Humans , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/blood , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/pathology , Male , Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/blood , Prognosis , Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1/bloodABSTRACT
We report the recent isolation of Cryptococcus laurentii from the feces of a patient with Hodgkin's lymphoma who underwent autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). The organism was identified using microscopic morphology, cultural characteristics, and biochemical tests including sugar assimilation. Minimum inhibitory concentration of various antifungals was determined by microbroth dilution method. The recovery of pure culture of C. laurentii from stool culture, and the patient's response to treatment with voriconazole support its potential etiological role. To the best of our knowledge, we report the first case of diarrhea caused by C. laurentii in an HSCT recipient.
