Human T lymphocytes express a member of the Matrix Metalloproteinase gene family.
OBJECTIVE
T lymphocytes are known to interact with cellular and structural components of the extracellular matrix. We investigated whether T lymphocytes could also contribute to matrix breakdown by expression of a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) gene.


METHODS
Complementary DNA (cDNA) was synthesized from messenger RNA extracted from cultured peripheral blood T lymphocytes after exposure to phorbol myristate acetate and calcium ionophore A23187 and amplified by the polymerase chain reaction with primers derived from two conserved domains in MMP genes.


RESULTS
An amplification product of 402 basepairs was generated and cloned; sequence analysis revealed identity to human stromelysin-2 cDNA. Using the amplified stromelysin-2 cDNA as a probe for Northern analyses, we detected a 1.8-kilobase transcript in stimulated T lymphocytes.


CONCLUSIONS
T lymphocytes are a potential source of stromelysin-2 transcripts and may have a role in the degradation of extracellular matrix constituents.
Conca
W
W
Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Freiburg Medical School, Germany.
Willmroth
F
F
D001483:Base Sequence; D006801:Humans; D053506:Matrix Metalloproteinase 10; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000302:isolation & purification; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000201:enzymology*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; D053506:Matrix Metalloproteinase 10