2017 The Relation Between Serum Level of Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP-7) and Interstitial Lung Disease in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis

Abstract

ystemic sclerosis is a systemic autoimmune disease that is characterized by endothelial dysfunction resulting in a small vessel vasculopathy, fibroblast dysfunction with resultant excessive collagen production and fibrosis and immunological abnormalities. Skin involvement is a nearly universal feature of SSc. Pulmonary complications of SSc remain one of the largest causes of morbidity and mortality in the disease. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) are the most common forms of lung disease associated with SSc. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and chest imaging with high-resolution chest tomography (HRCT) remain important tools in the diagnosis and prognosis of SSc-ILD. HRCT with assessment of fibrosis score is used to correlate HRCT abnormalities with lung inflammatory changes and fibrosis. The scoring system of IPF has been described and used to characterize and quantify the disease and also to assess the disease progression. MMP-7 may serve as a biomarker for SSc and especially as a marker for pulmonary impairment and progressive disease.