Serum matrix metalloproteinases in patients with different types of cutis laxa: a case series

Cutis laxa (CL) is a connective tissue disease that is either inherited or acquired. It is characterized by redundant, pendulous, and inelastic skin. Loss of elasticity is a pathological feature of some degenerative and inflammatory diseases. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) can cleave elastin fibers by damaging the microfibrils and the elastin core, resulting in the loss of elasticity. In this study, we report eight patients with different types of cutis laxa along with the quantitative measurement of serum levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9. The cutis laxa patients showed various clinical and histopathological findings, indicating the heterogeneity of this rare skin connective tissue disease. The serum level of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were elevated in these patients. Increased MMP-2 and MMP-9 might be associated with cutis laxa. However, our findings need to be validated in larger clinical settings.