Expression profiles of matrix metalloproteinase 9 in teleost fish provide evidence for its active role in initiation and resolution of inflammation.
Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) belongs to a family of zinc-dependent endopeptidases. As a consequence of its ability to cleave structural extracellular matrix molecules, mammalian MMP-9 is associated with vital inflammatory processes such as leucocyte migration and tissue remodelling and regeneration. Interestingly, MMP-9 genes have been identified in fish, but functional data are still limited and focus on the involvement of MMP-9 in embryonic development, reproduction and post-mortem tenderization. Here, we describe the involvement of MMP-9 in the innate immunity of carp. In carp, MMP-9 was most notably expressed in classical fish immune organs and in peritoneal and peripheral blood leucocytes, indicating a role of MMP-9 in immune responses. In our well-characterized zymosan-induced peritonitis model for carp, we analysed expression of the MMP-9 gene and the gelatinolytic levels of both pro- and activated forms of MMP-9. The biphasic profile of MMP-9 mRNA expression indicated involvement during the initial phase of inflammation and during the later phase of tissue remodelling. Also, in vitro stimulation of carp phagocytes with lipopolysaccharide or concanavalin A increased MMP-9 gene expression, with a peak at 24 hr. The increase of MMP-9 mRNA correlated with the peak of MMP-9 gelatinolytic level in culture supernatants. These results provide evidence for an evolutionarily conserved and relevant role of MMP-9 in the innate immune response.
Chadzinska
Magdalena
M
Cell Biology & Immunology Group, Wageningen University, The Netherlands.
Baginski
Pawel
P
Kolaczkowska
Elzbieta
E
Savelkoul
Huub F J
HF
Kemenade
B M Lidy Verburg-van
BM
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002347:Carps / Q000276:immunology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D015870:Gene Expression; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007668:Kidney / Q000201:enzymology; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D013154:Spleen / Q000201:enzymology; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000201:enzymology; D015054:Zymosan
D017931:DNA Primers; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D015054:Zymosan; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9