Abstract

Preliminary findings suggest that abnormalities in matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity may be found in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). In this study of 16 subjects with CJD and 16 age-, and sex-matched controls, we determined the presence of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in their active and proenzyme forms, the relative levels of MMP-3 and four inhibitors of MMP activity (TIMP-1, TIMP-2, TIMP-3 and TIMP-4), and the concentration of 4-3-3 protein. The methodology used involved zymography and immunological techniques. The results indicate that, compared with controls, CJD patients have a significantly higher positive frequency of pro-MMP-9 and of the active form of MMP-2, along with significantly higher levels of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2, classical inhibitors of MMP-9 and MMP-2, respectively. We also found a positive correlation between 14-3-3 protein concentration and that of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 levels (correlation coefficients of 0.793 and 0.798, respectively). These results suggest that abnormalities in MMP and TIMP profiles may be helpful in the biochemical characterisation of CJD.