Dissociation of collagenase-tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) complex--its application for the independent measurements of TIMP-1 and collagenase activity in crude culture media and body fluids.

Collagenase-tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) complex was prepared from activated collagenase and TIMP-1 purified from culture media of human skin fibroblasts. After having been confirmed to be a complex by zinc chelate chromatography, the complex was demonstrated to dissociate by passage through an anti-TIMP-1 monoclonal antibody-affinity column. On the basis of above evidence, a simple strategy was set up for the independent measurements of TIMP-1 concentration, and both active and total collagenase activities in crude culture media and body fluids.