Spatial and temporal pattern of expression of interstitial collagenase, stromelysin/transin, gelatinase A, and TIMP-1 during experimental gastric ulcer healing.
OBJECTIVE
Controlled proteolysis is a prerequisite for cell migration, angiogenesis, and matrix remodelling during gastric ulcer healing. We studied the temporal and spatial expression of three matrix metalloproteinases, gelatinase A (MMP-2), interstitial collagenase (MMP-13), stromelysin (MMP-3), and their major inhibitor, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) during experimental gastric ulcer healing induced in rats by acetic acid injection.


METHODS
Gastric tissue specimens were hybridized with antisense (35)S-labelled RNA probes and the autoradiographic signal was analyzed by a computer aided image system. Gelatinase activity was analyzed by in situ and gel zymography.


RESULTS
During gastric ulcer healing, MMP-2, MMP-3, and MMP-13 RNA expression was increased in stromal cells of the gastric mucosa bordering the ulcer, suggesting a prevalent role of non-epithelial cells in pericellular proteolysis. Gelatinolytic activity was increased during ulcer healing and it was associated with extracellular matrix of the healing mucosa and newly formed vessels. In contrast to MMP-2 RNA, which was homogeneously distributed in all layers of the ulcer bed, MMP-3 and MMP-13 RNAs were confined to the upper layers of the granulation tissue. TIMP-1 RNA was detected in both epithelial and stromal cells of the gastric mucosa adjacent to the ulcer, as well as in the granulation tissue of the ulcer bed. Both MMP and TIMP-1 expression returned to basal levels during the late stages of tissue remodeling.


CONCLUSIONS
Gastric ulcer repair is associated with a transient expression of specific metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in a distinct anatomical pattern pointing to complex cellular and cell/matrix interactions in the various layers of the healing mucosa.
Calabrò
Antonio
A
Department of Clinical Pathophysiology, Gastroenterology Unit, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
Grappone
Cecilia
C
Pellegrini
Giulia
G
Evangelista
Stefano
S
Tramontana
Manuela
M
Schuppan
Detlef
D
Herbst
Hermann
H
Milani
Stefano
S
D000818:Animals; D017364:Collagenases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D053509:Matrix Metalloproteinase 13; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012313:RNA / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014945:Wound Healing
D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1; D012313:RNA; D017364:Collagenases; D053509:Matrix Metalloproteinase 13; C507083:Mmp13 protein, rat; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1