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Matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 in the granulomatous fibrosis of rats infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis.

Authors :
Hsu LS
Lee HH
Chen KM
Chou HL
Lai SC
Source :
Annals of tropical medicine and parasitology [Ann Trop Med Parasitol] 2005 Jan; Vol. 99 (1), pp. 61-70.
Publication Year :
2005

Abstract

The histomorphology of granuloma formation and gelatinase production were investigated in the brains, hearts, lungs and livers of Sprague-Dawley rats infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis. The relationships between two gelatinases and granulomatous fibrosis were explored, following infection of each rat with 60 infective larvae of the nematode. Worm recovery from the brain was maximal on day 15 post-inoculation whereas peak recovery from the lungs was maximal 75 days later, on day 90. The granulomatous reactions and fibrosis were marked in the lungs but only mild, if present at all, in the brain, heart and liver. Gelatin zymography revealed that matrix metalloproteinase2 (MMP-2) was present, at all time-points, in the heart and lungs, although only in the lungs was there partial conversion of the 72-kDa pro-enzyme to the 64-kDa active form during granulomatous fibrosis. The activity of the MMP-9 pro-enzyme was significantly higher at the time-points when granuloma formation was observed than at other times. Immuno-histochemistry revealed MMP-2 and MMP-9 within the lung granulomas, around infiltrating leucocytes and the epithelial cells of the alveoli. As the granulomatous fibrosis appeared to be strongly associated with MMP-2 and MMP-9, these enzymes may be useful markers in the lungs of rats infected with A. cantonensis.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
0003-4983
Volume :
99
Issue :
1
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Annals of tropical medicine and parasitology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
15701257
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1179/136485905X19919