Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 in Pleural Effusions of Tuberculosis and Lung Cancer

Vol. 72, No. 2, 2005

Free Abstract Article (Fulltext) Article (PDF 908 KB)

Clinical Investigations

Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 in Pleural Effusions of Tuberculosis and Lung Cancer
Kwang Joo Park^a, Sung Chul Hwang^a, Seung Soo Sheen^a, Yoon Jung Oh^a, Jae Ho Han^b, Kyi Beum Lee^b

Departments of
^aPulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and
^bPathology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, South Korea

Address of Corresponding Author

Respiration 2005;72:166-175 (DOI: 10.1159/000084048)

Key Words

Matrix metalloproteinase-9
Tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase-1
Tuberculous pleural effusion
Malignant pleural effusion
Lung cancer

Abstract

Background: Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 has been implicated in the development of pleural effusions. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the expression of MMP-9 in pleural effusions of tuberculosis, lung cancer and transudates. Methods: Ninety-one patients (37 tuberculous pleural effusions, 42 malignant pleural effusions of lung cancer and 12 transudates) were included. Concentrations of pleural fluid MMP-9 and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 were determined by immunoassay. We also investigated the cellular localization of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction on lymphocytes from pleural effusions and by immunohistochemical analysis of pleural tissues. Results: Pleural fluid MMP-9 levels, MMP-9/total protein and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratios were significantly higher in tuberculous pleural effusions, whilst TIMP-1 levels were similar in the three groups. MMP-9 levels positively correlated with TIMP-1 and lactate dehydrogenase levels, and negatively with pH and glucose levels in pleural effusions. MMP-9 mRNA expression in lymphocytes tended to be higher in malignant pleural effusions of lung cancer than in the other groups without reaching statistical significance. The strongest immunoreactivity for MMP-9 was observed in epithelioid cells of tuberculous pleural tissues. Much lower levels of MMP-9 expression were found in tumor cells of pleural tissues. Conclusions: MMP-9 is increased in tuberculous pleural effusions compared with transudates and malignant pleural effusions of lung cancer and is produced predominantly by epithelioid cells in the granulomas of tuberculous pleural tissues.

Author Contacts

Kwang Joo Park, MD, PhD
Laboratory of Cell Signaling
Building 50, NHLBI, NIH
Bethesda, MD 20892 (USA)
Tel. +1 301 496 3694, Fax +1 301 480 0357, E-Mail parkk2@mail.nih.gov

Article Information

Received: February 2, 2004
Accepted after revision: July 21, 2004
Number of Print Pages : 10
Number of Figures : 6, Number of Tables : 0, Number of References : 46

Medline Abstract (ID 15824527)

Download Citation

Free access to the current
Editor's Choice article

For non-native English speakers and international authors who would like assistance with their writing before submission, we suggest American Journal Experts for their research paper editing service.