Matrix metalloproteinase-8
Tissue enzymesAn enzyme that directly breaks down collagen, the structural protein of gum tissue.
This is information about your result, not a diagnosis. Your provider can tell you what it means for you.
What is Matrix metalloproteinase-8?
MMP-8 (collagenase-2) is an enzyme produced by neutrophils (immune cells) during the inflammatory response. It cleaves type I collagen, the primary structural protein in gum tissue and the periodontal ligament.
Why it matters
MMP-8 is the enzyme most closely tied to gum disease. A high level is associated with active breakdown of the collagen fibers that hold teeth in place, so it is often read as a sign of what is happening now rather than what happened before.
What a high result can mean
A high MMP-8 is associated with gum tissue breaking down now. It reflects your body's response to the bacteria, so your dentist reads it alongside your bacteria results and your exam.
What usually happens next
Treatment usually starts with reducing the bacteria. There are also prescription treatments aimed at this enzyme; your dentist can tell you whether one makes sense for you.
Related markers
Porphyromonas gingivalis
A key “red complex” bacterium strongly linked to severe periodontal disease.
Tannerella forsythia
The third member of the red complex, consistently found in progressive periodontal lesions.
Interleukin-1 beta
A key inflammatory mediator that triggers bone resorption in periodontal disease.
This page explains what the test measures. It is not a diagnosis, and it cannot tell you what your result means for you. Your provider can.