title: Leukocyte matrix metalloproteinase-9 is elevated and contributes to lymphocyte activation in type I diabetes.
abstract: Degradation of extracellular matrix proteins by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) is integral to cell migration and tissue remodeling in diabetes mellitus and its complications. MMPs also regulate the function of leukocytes via proteolytic processing of cytokines/chemokines. In this study, we measured the production of MMP-9 and its natural tissue inhibitor (TIMP)-1 by leukocytes isolated from human type I diabetic patients. MMP-9 was also detected in serum and splenocytes from non-obese diabetic (NOD) and BALB/c mice. MMP-9 was markedly elevated in leukocytes from diabetics compared to non-diabetic controls. TIMP-1 production was also enhanced in leukocytes from diabetics, but substantially less than MMP-9, with the MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio being 1.6-fold higher in neutrophils and 3-fold higher in monocytes than controls. Interleukin (IL)-2 or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment increased MMP-9 production in leukocytes from both diabetics and normal controls, whereas insulin decreased MMP-9 expression. Recombinant MMP-9 stimulated the proliferation of mouse splenocytes from NOD or BALB/c and a MMP-9 inhibitor dose-dependently inhibited splenocyte proliferation. In conclusion, our results demonstrate firstly that MMP-9 expression is elevated in leukocytes from type I diabetic patients and NOD mice and secondly, that MMP-9 elevates proliferation of mouse splenocytes. These data suggest that elevated leukocyte MMP-9 may contribute to the pathogenesis of type I diabetes and its associated complications.
authors.affiliation: Sutton Research Laboratories, Level 1, Block 4, University of Sydney at Royal North Shore Hospital, St. Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia. mlxue@med.usyd.edu.au
authors.forename: Meilang
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Xue
authors.forename: Patrick J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Rory
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Clifton-Bligh
authors.forename: Greg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fulcher
authors.forename: Eileen D M
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Gallery
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jackson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000201:enzymology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism*; D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D016688:Mice, Inbred NOD; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9