Distribution ofthematrix metalloproteinas es stromelysin, gelatinases A andB,andcollagenase inCrohn's disease andnormal intestine

Aims-To investigate theroleofthe matrixmetalloproteinases (MMPs) in theconnective tissue changes seeninthe intestine inCrohn's disease. Methods-Indirect immunofluorescence microscopy usingspecific antibodies to theMMPs (collagenase, gelatinase A and B,andstromelysin) wereusedtoassess thedistribution oftheseenzymesinnormalanddiseased intestine. Results-In normalintestine thematrix metalloproteinases wereconfined to a fewisolated inflammatory cells, butin Crohn'sdisease, theinflammatory infiltrate wasassociated withincreased numbers of polymorphonuclear leucocytes whichstained positive forgelatinase B. Stromelysin wasalsodetected extracellularly ontheconnective tissue matrixin regions ofsmoothmusclecell proliferationand mucosaldegradation. Interestingly, in ulcerative colitis, another inflammatory boweldisease, stromelysin waslocalised inthelaminapropria in regions ofmucosalloss. Conclusions-The increased numbersof inflammatory cells containing gelatinase B,andthelocalisation ofextracellular stromelysin inregions offibrosis and mucosaldegradation, suggest thatthese enzymeshavea roleinthepathological changes seeninCrohn's disease. Incases ofulcerative colitis stromelysin wasalso detected onthelaIina propria inregions ofmucosalloss, andseemstobeassociatedwiththeconnective tissue changes thatprecede mucosalloss.