CD147 and MMPs as key factors in physiological and pathological processes.

Cluster of differentiation 147 (CD147) or extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that induces the synthesis of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). MMPs, as zinc-dependent proteases and versatile enzymes, play critical roles in the degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) components, cleaving of the receptors of cellular surfaces, signaling molecules, and other precursor proteins, which may lead to attenuation or activation of such targets. CD147 and MMPs play essential roles in physiological and pathological conditions and any disorder in the expression, synthesis, or function of CD147 and MMPs may be associated with various types of disease. In this review, we have focused on the roles of CD147 and MMPs in some major physiological and pathological processes.

C/EBP homologous protein investigation in the serum and cerebro-spinal fluid of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients.

The exact determination of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-associated proteins is not completely elucidated in the multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. We measured CHOP concentrations in the serum and cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) of relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients (n = 20) in comparison with the non-MS control group (n = 20) to determine whether this marker could be detected in the body fluids of RRMS patients. CHOP marker was not detectable in all harvested CSF samples. However, its levels were detectable in all serums harvested from both non-MS and RRMS patients and its levels in the latter group were not significantly higher than those of the non-MS control group (P value = 0.265). CHOP was not detectable in the CSF of RRMS patients in spite of the recent reports on the RRMS autopsies. Additionally, there were not any significant correlations (Spearman's correlation) between both of EDSS score and age with CHOP serum concentrations in all subjects.

Soluble CD40 ligand derived from serum is not correlated with early MS.

BACKGROUND: Soluble CD40 ligand (sCD154) is a proinflammatory and prothrombotic ligand belonging to the tumor necrosis factor family. It has been shown by a variety of studies that sCD154 is elevated in the serum of patients afflicted with system autoimmune diseases. The aim of our study was to address whether sCD154 is increased in disease affected by Multiple Sclerosis (MS). METHODS: Twenty MS patients who have been newly diagnosed as clinically definite multiple sclerosis (CDMS) along with twenty age and sex matched healthy individuals were recruited for this study. Serum cCD154 was measured by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). RESULTS: The results showed no statistically meaningful difference between newly diagnosed MS patients (3.07ng/ul±0.66) and control group (2.95ng/ul±0.79; p=0.62) CONCLUSION: Regarding our study, it seems that soluble CD40 ligand derived from serum is not correlated with early stage of MS disease.