Matrix Metalloproteinase-3 and Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 as Diagnostic Markers for COVID-19 Infection

Abstract

      Coronavirus 2 is the cause of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which leads to severe acute respiratory illness. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been linked to leukocyte infiltration and chemokine activation during inflammatory responses. Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP) family are thought to dampen the proinflammatory effects of these MMPs. The molecular pathways of lung fibrosis are mediated by MMPs and TIMPs. In this study, we sought to investigate the probable link between MMPs, specifically MMP-3, TIMP-2, and COVID-19. The study included 58 COVID-19 patients and 30 apparently healthy individuals matched in terms of age and sex. Multiplex real- time PCR was used to detect the ORF1ab, E, and N genes of SARS-Cov-2, ELISA was used to evaluate the quantities of soluble MMP-3, TIMP-2, and C reactive protein in serum. The results showed that the serum levels of MMP-3 and TIMP-2 were noticeably higher in COVID-19 patients than healthy controls; which and was statistically significant (p <0.001). Estimation of serum MMP-3 and the inhibitor TIMP-2 may have a useful indication for COVID-19 diagnosis.