title: Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 in pleural effusions of tuberculosis and lung cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 has been implicated in the development of pleural effusions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess the expression of MMP-9 in pleural effusions of tuberculosis, lung cancer and transudates.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-one patients (37 tuberculous pleural effusions, 42 malignant pleural effusions of lung cancer and 12 transudates) were included. Concentrations of pleural fluid MMP-9 and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 were determined by immunoassay. We also investigated the cellular localization of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction on lymphocytes from pleural effusions and by immunohistochemical analysis of pleural tissues.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pleural fluid MMP-9 levels, MMP-9/total protein and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratios were significantly higher in tuberculous pleural effusions, whilst TIMP-1 levels were similar in the three groups. MMP-9 levels positively correlated with TIMP-1 and lactate dehydrogenase levels, and negatively with pH and glucose levels in pleural effusions. MMP-9 mRNA expression in lymphocytes tended to be higher in malignant pleural effusions of lung cancer than in the other groups without reaching statistical significance. The strongest immunoreactivity for MMP-9 was observed in epithelioid cells of tuberculous pleural tissues. Much lower levels of MMP-9 expression were found in tumor cells of pleural tissues.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MMP-9 is increased in tuberculous pleural effusions compared with transudates and malignant pleural effusions of lung cancer and is produced predominantly by epithelioid cells in the granulomas of tuberculous pleural tissues.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, South Korea. parkk2@mail.nih.gov
authors.forename: Kwang Joo
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Sung Chul
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Seung Soo
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Sheen
authors.forename: Yoon Jung
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: Jae Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Kyi Beum
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D045604:Extracellular Fluid / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000502:physiology*; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000502:physiology*; D005819:Genetic Markers; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D010994:Pleura / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D016066:Pleural Effusion, Malignant / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D012313:RNA / Q000235:genetics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000150:complications / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D005819:Genetic Markers; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1; D012313:RNA; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9