Increase in macrophage elastase (MMP-12) in lungs from patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
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.
Molet
S
S
Laboratoire de Pharmacodynamie et de Pharmacologie Moléculaire, INSERM U620, Université de Rennes 1, 2, avenue du Professeur Léon Bernard, 35043, Rennes Cedex, France.
Belleguic
C
C
Lena
H
H
Germain
N
N
Bertrand
C P
CP
Shapiro
S D
SD
Planquois
J-M
JM
Delaval
P
P
Lagente
V
V
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
D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; C507122:MMP12 protein, human; D053508:Matrix Metalloproteinase 12