title: Increase in macrophage elastase (MMP-12) in lungs from patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by an inflammatory process and airway remodeling involving matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Thus, we analyzed the expression and release of MMP-12 (macrophage metalloelastase) in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and lung tissue from COPD patients and control subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Immunocytochemistry and immunochemistry were performed to analyze the expression of MMP-12 in BAL cells and bronchial biopsies. Western blotting was used for the evaluation of MMP-12 in BAL fluids.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The number of MMP-12 expressing macrophages together with the staining intensity was higher in BAL samples from COPD patients than in controls subjects. Similar results were noted in bronchial biopsies with higher MMP-12 expression in COPD subjects than in controls. Enhanced MMP-12 level was also observed in BAL fluids from patient with COPD in comparison to control subjects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrated that COPD patients produce greater quantities of MMP-12 than controls, which may be a critical step in the pathogenesis of COPD and emphysema.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Pharmacodynamie et de Pharmacologie Moléculaire, INSERM U620, Université de Rennes 1, 2, avenue du Professeur Léon Bernard, 35043, Rennes Cedex, France.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Molet
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Belleguic
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lena
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Germain
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Bertrand
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Shapiro
authors.forename: J-M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Planquois
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Delaval
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lagente
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D053508:Matrix Metalloproteinase 12; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; C507122:MMP12 protein, human; D053508:Matrix Metalloproteinase 12