Gelatinases in drug-induced toxic epidermal necrolysis.

BACKGROUND

The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) MMP2 and MMP9 play a significant role in epidermal detachment, inflammation and re-epithelialization. We have evaluated their activity in toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN).

DESIGN

The level and pattern of activity of MMP2 and MMP9 were investigated by measuring the degradation of 3H-labelled gelatin and by zymography in blister fluid from six TEN patients and compared the results with three other blistering conditions: bullous pemphigoid (n = 6), second-degree burn (n = 13) or suction blister (n = 3).

RESULTS

A higher amount of MMP2 was found in TEN blister fluid with the constant presence of a significantly larger proportion of the activated forms of MMP2, a particular feature of TEN, than the other blistering diseases studied.

CONCLUSION

This study emphasizes the potential role of MMP2 in the specific inflammatory reaction and reparation process in TEN skin.