Investigation of TIMP-1 Gene Expression in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis(MS)

Abstract Background: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) comprise a family of proteolytic enzymes.MMPs are capable of disrupting the blood-brain barrier (BBB), mediating the destruction of extracellular matrix and myelin components. Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are proteins which block the activitiy of MMPs. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) facilitates T-cell migration into the CNS while the tissue inhibitor matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) inhibits MMP-9 actions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of TIMP-1 gene (in RNA level) in blood cells of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients treated with IFNb. Materials and Methods: In this study, the expression level of TIMP-1 gene was investigated in blood cells of MS patients compared to healthy subjects by Real-Time PCR. Results: The RRMS patients manifested a lower expression level of TIMP-1 RNA than their normal counterparts, although the result was not significant (p=0.1). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that there was no linear correlation between TIMP-1 expression level and risk of Expanded Disability Status Scale of Kurtzke (EDSS); nor was there any significant correlation between expression status of TIMP-1 and duration of the disease. Further studies are recommended to compare TIMP-1 RNA in patients before and after taking IFN-beta