Matrix metalloproteinases activity in COPD associated with wood smoke.
BACKGROUND
Wood smoke (WS) exposure causes COPD with respiratory alterations that are similar to those described for COPD associated with tobacco smoke (TS). The aim of the present study was to analyze the effects of WS on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity and expression.


METHODS
BAL fluid and macrophages were obtained from patients exposed to WS and TS, and from control subjects. Macrophage elastolytic activity was assayed by radiolabeled elastin degradation. Gelatinolytic activity was measured by zymography in BAL fluid samples. MMP-2, MMP-9, and MMP-12 expression were analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in macrophages from each group.


RESULTS
Macrophage elastolytic activity was increased significantly in WS and TS cells in comparison to control subjects with no differences between WS and TS samples. MMP-2 was identified in all groups as a 72-Kd band (proMMP-2), with the highest activity in the WS samples. MMP-9 was present in its latent and active forms with the highest gelatinolytic activity in the WS group. MMP-2 expression was increased in both groups as well as MMP-12 compared with the control. Two of three subjects studied in each COPD group had a significant increase in MMP-9 expression.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings demonstrate that WS increases MMP activity and expression that might produce lung damage similar to that observed in COPD associated with TS.
Montaño
Martha
M
Department of Molecular Biology, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Calzada de Tlalpan 4502, CP 14080, México, D.F., México.
Beccerril
Carina
C
Ruiz
Victor
V
Ramos
Carlos
C
Sansores
Raul H
RH
González-Avila
Georgina
G
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000737:chemistry; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000032:analysis; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000032:analysis; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011336:Probability; D011379:Prognosis; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D012016:Reference Values; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012906:Smoke / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014934:Wood
D015415:Biomarkers; D012906:Smoke; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9