Correlation Between Th1, Th2 Cells and Levels of Serum MMP-2, MMP-9 in Children with Asthma

Objective: To explore the correlation between Th1 and Th2 cells and the levels of serum matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9 in children with asthma. Methods: A total of 89 children with asthma were divided into acute group (n= 48) and chronic group (n= 41) according to the course of disease, and 40 healthy children at the same term were collected as control group. The ratios of Th1 and Th2 cells as well as levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were compared in three groups, and the correlation between Th1 and Th2 cells and levels of MMP-2, MMP-9 was analyzed in acute group and chronic group. Results: When compared with control group, the ratios of Th1 and Th2 cells went down in both acute group and chronic group (P< 0.01), while the levels of serum MMP-2 and MMP-9 up (P< 0.01). The levels of serum MMP-2 and MMP-9 in acute group were dramatically higher than those in chronic group, and there was statistical significance (P< 0.01). Pearson correlation analysis revealed that there was no significant correlation between Th1 and Th2 cells and MMP-2 level (r= 0.148, P= 0.314, r= 0.299, P= 0.058; r= 0.183, P= 0.214, r= 0.289, P= 0.067), whereas both Th1 and Th2 cells were negatively correlated with MMP-9 level in acute group and chronic group (r=-0.489, P= 0.000, r=-0.324, P= 0.039; r=-0.352, P= 0.014, r=-0.357, P= 0.022). Conclusion: Aberrant secretion of Th cells can not only damage the immune function of children with asthma, but also decrease the level of serum MMP-9, consequently affecting the collagen degradation and airway remodeling.