Abstract
Pulmonary granuloma formation and fibrosis were experimentally induced in Sprague-Dawley strain rats by Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Increased protein levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, -9, -13 and the imbalance between these enzymes and metalloproteinase inhibitors, tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMP-1 and -2), occur during granulomatous fibrosis. Activation of proteolytic enzymes (MMP-2, -9 and -13) and fibronectin degradation occur simultaneously. Furthermore, the present study demonstrated that fibronectin avidly binds MMP-2, -9 or -13. Immunohistochemical observations also showed the localization of MMP-13, TIMP-1 and -2 within the infiltrating leucocytes. These results suggest that MMP-2, -9 and -13 may participate in the fibronectin degradation of A. cantonensis-induced granulomatous fibrosis.
MeSH terms
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Angiostrongylus cantonensis*
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Animals
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Blotting, Western / methods
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Enzyme Activation
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Extracellular Matrix / enzymology
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Fibronectins / analysis
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Fibronectins / metabolism*
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Fibrosis
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Granuloma / enzymology
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Granuloma / pathology
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Leukocytes / enzymology
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Lung / enzymology*
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Lung / immunology
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Lung / pathology
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Male
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Matrix Metalloproteinase 13 / metabolism
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Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / metabolism
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Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / metabolism
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Matrix Metalloproteinases / metabolism*
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Rats
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Strongylida Infections / enzymology*
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Strongylida Infections / immunology
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Strongylida Infections / pathology
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Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / analysis
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Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / metabolism
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Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 / analysis
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Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 / metabolism
Substances
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Fibronectins
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Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1
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Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2
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Matrix Metalloproteinase 13
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Matrix Metalloproteinases
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Matrix Metalloproteinase 2
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Matrix Metalloproteinase 9