Lipodermatosclerosis is characterized by elevated expression and activation of matrix metalloproteinases: implications for venous ulcer formation.

Lipodermatosclerosis refers to skin induration of the lower extremities and is associated with patients preceding venous ulcerations. To better understand the pathogenesis of ulcer formation we investigated the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP) in lipodermatosclerosis. By preparing biopsies from healthy skin and liposclerotic lesions, MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 were analyzed by using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, western blot, zymography, hydrolysis of [3H]labeled collagens, and immunohistochemistry. Our investigations provide evidence that mRNA and protein expression of MMP-1, MMP-2, and TIMP-1 were significantly increased in lipodermatosclerosis, whereas the total amount of MMP-9 and TIMP-2 mRNA and protein was not altered. Western blot of liposclerotic lesions revealed an inactive proMMP-1-TIMP-1 complex, whereas MMP-2 was prominent as an active 66 kDa band. Increased proteolytic activity of MMP-2 could be proven in lesional in comparison with healthy skin by zymography and [3H] collagen degradation. Increased diffuse staining was found for MMP-1 in the epidermis and dermis in comparison with controls. In lipodermatosclerosis, MMP-2 was predominantly localized in the basal and suprabasal layers of the epidermis, in perivascular regions, and in the reticular part of the dermis. Furthermore, MMP-2 was imbalanced by locally reduced expression of TIMP-2 in the basement membrane zone of lesional skin. Our findings indicate lipodermatosclerosis to be characterized by elevated matrix turnover.