Matrix Metalloproteinase in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Abstract

Background : Matrix metalioproteinase(MMP)-2 and MMP-9 have been known to play an important role in cell migration and the tissue remodeling process by type IV collagen lysis, a major component of the basement membrane. Intra-alveolar fibrosis, secondary to an injury to the basement membrane of the alveolar epithelial lining, is a major process in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis(IPF). Therefore, MMP-2 and MMP-9 was hypothesized to play an important role in IPF pathogenesis. As a result, their level may reflect the activity or prognosis. Method : Forty one progressive IPF patients(age years, M:F=23:18), 16 patients with stable IPF for more than one year without therapy(age : years, M:F=13:3), and 7 normal controls were enrolled in this study. The MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels in the BAL fluid and alveolar macrophage conditioned media(AM-CM) were measured by zymography and the TIMP-1 level was measured by ELISA. Results : 1) The MMP-2 level in BALF was highest in the progressive IPF group () followed by the stable group () and the controls (), which was statistically significant. The MMP-9 level of the IPF () and the stable group () were higher than that of the control group (). In the AM-CM, only MMP-9 was detected, which was significantly higher in IPF group () than in the control group(). The TIMP-1 level was also higher in both the IPF () and stable group () compared to the control group () (p