[Expression of matrix metalloproteinases in lung tissue and levels of some cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in the obstructive emphysema rat models].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the changes of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), MMP-9 and interleukin-10 (IL-10), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) in lung tissue of the obstructive emphysema rat models and to evaluate the relationship between these changes and emphysema formation.


METHODS
The rat emphysema models were established by exposure to cigarette smoking. Pulmonary function tests were performed to evaluate the forced expiratory volume in 0.3 second (FEV(0.3)), FEV(0.3)/forced vital capacity (FVC) and functional residual capacity (FRC). The morphological indices of emphysema were measured by computer image analyzer. The protein expression and enzymatic activity of MMPs in lung tissue were observed. The contents of IL-10 and TNFalpha in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured.


RESULTS
Pulmonary function test showed that in model group the FEV(0.3)/FVC was decreased, whereas the FRC was increased significantly than those in control group (P < 0.01, respectively). There was a significant decrease in the relative content of elastin in lung tissue in model group than that in control group. The expression and enzymatic activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in lung tissue, the counts of total leukocytes and neutrophils and the level of TNFalpha in BALF were significantly elevated, but the level of IL-10 in BALF was significantly reduced in model group compared with those in control group (P < 0.01, respectively). There were statistically significant positive correlations between the enzymatic activity of MMP-2, MMP-9 and the total leukocyte counts (P < 0.01, respectively), and significant negative correlations between the enzymatic activity of MMP-2, MMP-9 and the content of elastin (P < 0.05, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
MMP-2, MMP-9, IL-10 and TNFalpha may play an important role in the formation of obstructive emphysema in rat models caused by passive smoking.
An
Li
L
Department of Respiratory Disease, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Beijing Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Capital University of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100020, China.
Zhang
Hong-yu
HY
Pang
Bao-sen
BS
Niu
Shu-jie
SJ
Ma
Li
L
Xin
Ping
P
Weng
Xin-zhi
XZ
D000818:Animals; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000378:metabolism*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008168:Lung / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism*; D011656:Pulmonary Emphysema / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism*
D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D016753:Interleukin-10; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9