Chou P-H, Lai S-C
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Changhua Christian Hospital, 135 Nanhsiao Street, Changhua, Taiwan.
Ann Trop Med Parasitol. 2011 Apr;105(3):225-31. doi: 10.1179/136485911X12987676649502.
Although the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-12 (MMP-12) appears to be increased in most inflammatory diseases, the role of this enzyme in the pathogenesis of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women, if any, is unknown. In a recent study in Taiwan, the serum concentrations of MMP-12 and its substrate elastin were evaluated in pregnant women with Toxoplasma gondii infection. Compared with the healthy pregnant and non-pregnant women used as controls, the pregnant women with toxoplasmosis had significantly higher serum concentrations of MMP-12 and significantly higher levels of elastin synthesis and degradation. Interaction between MMP-12 and elastin in the serum samples was confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation. It seems possible that MMP-12 may contribute to elastin degradation occurring during the pathogenesis of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women.
尽管基质金属蛋白酶-12（MMP-12）的表达在大多数炎症性疾病中似乎都会增加，但这种酶在孕妇弓形虫病发病机制中的作用（如果有）尚不清楚。在台湾最近的一项研究中，对弓形虫感染的孕妇血清中MMP-12及其底物弹性蛋白的浓度进行了评估。与作为对照的健康孕妇和非孕妇相比，患弓形虫病的孕妇血清中MMP-12的浓度显著更高，弹性蛋白合成和降解水平也显著更高。通过共免疫沉淀证实了血清样本中MMP-12与弹性蛋白之间的相互作用。MMP-12似乎可能导致孕妇弓形虫病发病过程中发生的弹性蛋白降解。
