Tachykinins induce gelatinase production by guinea pig alveolar macrophages: involvement of NK2 receptors

A study was conducted to examine the effect of tachykinins on gelatinase production by guinea pig alveolar macrophages. The lungs were treated with substance P (SP), neurokinin A or the NH2-terminal fragment of SP to determine the effect of agonists on tachykinin-induced gelatinase production. Changes in gelatinase concentrations were measured by zymography and quantified by image analysis.