Aim: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-13 can initiate bone resorption and activate proMMP-9 in vitro, and both these MMPs have been widely implicated in tissue destruction associated with chronic periodontitis. We studied whether MMP-13 activity and TIMP-1 levels in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) associated with progression of chronic periodontitis assessed clinically and by measuring carboxy-terminal telopeptide of collagen I (ICTP) levels. We additionally addressed whether MMP-13 could potentiate gelatinase activation in diseased gingival tissue. Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, GCF samples from subjects undergoing clinical progression of chronic periodontitis and healthy controls were screened for ICTP levels, MMP-13 activity and TIMP-1. Diseased gingival explants were cultured, treated or not with MMP-13 with or without adding CL-82198, a synthetic MMP-13 selective inhibitor, and assayed by gelatin zymography and densitometric analysis. Results: Active sites demonstrated increased ICTP levels and MMP-13 activity (p<0.05) in progression subjects. The MMP-9 activation rate was elevated in MMP-13-treated explants (p<0.05) and MMP-13 inhibitor prevented MMP-9 activation. Conclusions: MMP-13 could be implicated in the degradation of soft and hard supporting tissues and proMMP-9 activation during progression of chronic periodontitis. MMP-13 and -9 can potentially form an activation cascade overcoming the protective TIMP-1 shield, which may become useful for diagnostic aims and a target for drug development.

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doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-051X.2009.01488.x, hdl.handle.net/1765/24857
Journal of Clinical Periodontology
Erasmus MC: University Medical Center Rotterdam

Hernández Ríos, M., Sorsa, T., Obregón, F., Tervahartiala, T., Valenzuela, M. A., Pozo, P., … Gamonal, J. (2009). Proteolytic roles of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13 during progression of chronic periodontitis: Initial evidence for MMP-13/MMP-9 activation cascade. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 36(12), 1011–1017. doi:10.1111/j.1600-051X.2009.01488.x