Gelatinolytic matrix metalloproteinases-2 and -9 in tracheobronchial lavage fluid obtained from calves with concurrent infections of Pasteurella multocida and Mycoplasma bovirhinis.
OBJECTIVE
To study gelatinolytic matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in tracheobronchial lavage fluid (TBLF) obtained from clinically normal calves and calves with Pasteurella multocida infection.


METHODS
Samples of TBLF obtained from 11 calves with clinical signs of respiratory tract disease and growth of P multocida and Mycoplasma spp during culture of TBLF and samples of TBLF from 6 clinically normal calves with no bacterial growth during culture of TBLF.


METHODS
MMPs in TBLF were analyzed by use of gelatin zymography. Gelatinases were identified on the basis of molecular weights and inhibition by EDTA.


RESULTS
The main gelatinolytic MMPs detected were the proform (90 to 110 kd) and active form (75 to 85 kd) of MMP-9 (gelatinase B) and the proform (67 to 75 kd) and active form (< 65 kd) of MMP-2 (gelatinase A). Increased amounts of active MMP-2 and MMP-9 were detected in TBLF of calves with respiratory tract disease, compared with amounts of active MMP-2 and MMP-9 in TBLF of clinically normal calves. Concurrent infection with Mycoplasma bovirhinis in calves with pneumonia attributable to P multocida was associated with higher concentrations of MMP-9.


CONCLUSIONS
The host response to P multocida includes increases in MMP-2 and MMP-9 concentrations in TBLF. Greater amounts of MMPs detected in calves with concurrent M bovirhinis and P multocida infection indicates synergism between these organisms.
Simonen-Jokinen
Terhi L M
TL
Department of Clinical Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, PO Box 57, 00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Eskelinen
Ulla M
UM
Härtel
Heidi M
HM
Nikunen
Sanna K
SK
Saloniemi
Hannu S
HS
Maisi
Päivi S
PS
D000818:Animals; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000201:enzymology*; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000201:enzymology / Q000662:veterinary*; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism*; D009174:Mycoplasma; D016979:Pasteurella multocida
D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9