1. Expression of stromelysin-3 (matrix metalloproteinase-11) in macrophages of murine thymus following thymocyte apoptosis
- Author
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Chikako Odaka and Shinji Izumiyama
- Subjects
Cell type ,CD3 Complex ,Immunology ,Apoptosis ,Thymus Gland ,Matrix metalloproteinase ,Biology ,Matrix (biology) ,Mice ,Matrix Metalloproteinase 11 ,Thymocyte apoptosis ,Animals ,Macrophage ,CD40 Antigens ,Cells, Cultured ,Mice, Knockout ,Mice, Inbred BALB C ,TUNEL assay ,Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ,Macrophages ,Antibodies, Monoclonal ,Metalloendopeptidases ,Cell biology ,Mice, Inbred C57BL ,Tumor progression ,Signal Transduction - Abstract
High expression of stromelysin-3 (ST-3), also known as matrix metalloproteinase-11, has been implicated in tumor progression and intense tissue remodeling. Nonetheless, details of the cell type(s) expressing ST-3 are less well defined. Here, we report that ST-3 expression was elevated in mouse thymus following thymocyte apoptosis after administration of anti-CD3 Ab. TUNEL analysis revealed that many thymocytes in the cortical region were induced to apoptotic cell death 14 h after the injection. After an additional 2–6 h, ST-3 expression in the thymus was more apparent. Co-staining analysis by anti-ST-3 and F4/80 Abs showed that most F4/80-positive macrophages were also positive for ST-3. Murine peritoneal macrophages were found to constitutively express ST-3, and exposure to apoptotic cells hardly affected ST-3 expression in the macrophages. Taken together, our results indicate that ST-3 is not involved in the execution process of thymocyte apoptosis, and the increased levels of ST-3 in the thymus may be due to the presence of macrophages responsible for clearance of apoptotic cells.
- Published
- 2005