Wafaa SHEHATA, Sally ELHEFNAWY, Mohamed BASHA, Maha Abo EL-KHIER, Sherin Sobhy ELNAIDANY
Turkish Journal of Dermatology - 2026;20(3):119-130
Aim: Acne vulgaris is a persistent inflammatory condition affecting the pilosebaceous unit. Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) is an endogenous inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) that controls MMP-2 proteolytic activity. This study was designed to evaluate serum and gene expression levels of TIMP-2 in patients with acne vulgaris compared with healthy controls, and to correlate these results with available clinical data. Materials and Methods: This case-control study included 83 cases of acne vulgaris and 83 normal controls. Disease severity was estimated by the Global Acne Grading System (GAGS). Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to determine TIMP-2 gene expression, and serum TIMP-2 levels were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Comparison between cases and controls showed statistically significant differences in mean serum levels and TIMP-2 expression levels, with levels higher in cases than in controls (P < 0.001 for both). Significant positive correlations were observed between mean serum TIMP-2 levels and the GAGS score, NAST classification, and TIMP-2 gene expression (P < 0.001 for all). Significant positive correlations were observed between TIMP-2 gene expression and both the GAGS score and the NAST classification (P < 0.001 for both). Conclusion: Serum TIMP-2 levels and TIMP-2 gene expression are significantly elevated in patients with acne vulgaris and positively correlate with disease severity. These findings suggest that TIMP-2 may play a role in acne pathogenesis and could serve as a biomarker of disease activity.
