New Insights into the Tissue Homeostasis between TIMP and MMP in Dupuytren’s Disease

Dupuytren’s disease is a fibrotic disorder of the palmar fascia, leading to a functional restriction of the affected finger. The etiological causes of Dupuytren’s Disease are multifactorial, with a genetic disposition concerning predominantly men in the middle age. In, this study on the one hand gene expression was analysed in Dupuytren’s tissue directly after surgery to determine the balance between the tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases and the matrix metalloproteinases (TIMP/MMP). And on the other hand Dupuytren’s fibroblasts were preincubated with  nterleukin-1β (Il-1β) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) to analyze wound healing characteristics. Our data suggest that Dupuytren’s fibroblasts show an overshooting inflammatory response, which could, in turn, influence the TIMP/MMP axis. Furthermore the analysis of the TIMP/MMP ratio shows a dichotomous imbalance, which could additionally provide tissue fibrosis.