Sci Rep . Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) 3 and 9 as biomarkers of severity in COVID-19 patients

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Sci Rep


. 2022 Jan 24;12(1):1212.
doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-04677-8.
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) 3 and 9 as biomarkers of severity in COVID-19 patients


Monica Gelzo ^{1 2} , Sara Cacciapuoti ³ , Biagio Pinchera ³ , Annunziata De Rosa ⁴ , Gustavo Cernera ^{1 2} , Filippo Scialò ^{1 5} , Marika Comegna ^{1 2} , Mauro Mormile ³ , Gabriella Fabbrocini ³ , Roberto Parrella ⁴ , Gaetano Corso ^{1 6} , Ivan Gentile ³ , Giuseppe Castaldo ^{7 8}



Affiliations

• PMID: 35075175
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-04677-8

Abstract

The molecular basis of the wide clinical heterogeneity of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is still unknown. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) may have a role in the lung damage and regeneration that occur in severe patients. We studied serum MMP3 and MMP9 as potential biomarkers of COVID-19 severity, in 108 hospitalized patients with different World Health Organization (WHO) severity stage and in 48 controls. At hospital admission, serum MMP3 was increased in COVID-19 patients with a significant trend along the progression of the WHO stage, while serum levels of MMP9 were significantly increased in COVID-19 patients with no correlation with disease severity. At 1 week from hospitalization, MMP3 was reduced, suggesting an early pathogenic role of the protein in lung inflammation, while MMP9 levels were further increased, indicating a late role of the protein in the inflammatory process, specifically during the repairing phase. Furthermore, serum MMP9 was positively correlated with serum interleukin-6, myeloperoxidase, and circulating neutrophils and monocytes number. In conclusion, serum MMP3 may help to early predict the severity of COVID-19 and both proteins, MMP3 and MMP9, may contribute to define severe COVID-19 patients that may benefit from a targeted therapy on MMPs.