THE ROLE OF MATRIX METALLOPROTEINASES (MMPs) AND TISSUE INHIBITORS OF METALLOPROTEINASES (TIMPs) IN MESANGIAL MATRIX REPLACEMENT IN AL-AMYLOiDOSIS: AN 1N-VIVO AND IN-VITRO CORRELATIVE STUDY

摘要

Renal amyloid deposition begins in the mesangium. As the disease progresses, the mesangial matrix is replaced by amyloid fibrils. Mechanisms involved in the replacement of the mesangial extracellular matrix (ECM) are not well understood. The present study aimed at understanding the roles of MMPs and TIMPs in this process. Involved glomeruli from AL-amyloidosis (AL-Am) patient specimens and human mesangial cells (HMCs) in culture incubated with amyloidogenic light chains (LCs) purified from the urine of patients with biopsy proven glomerular AL-Am were used for the study.