BACKGROUND: Asthma is characterized by airway inflammation and remodeling in which matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP) play an important role. Allergen exposure activates the inflammatory/repair process in sensitized subjects. Induced-sputum analysis is a non-invasive method that allows the assessment of changes in inflammatory and remodeling mediators implicated in asthma. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the changes in MMP-9 and its principal inhibitor (TIMP-1) in sputum and plasma of mild allergic asthmatic subjects after whole-lung allergen challenge. METHODS: Induced sputum and blood samples were obtained at baseline, and 6 and 24 h after challenge. MMP-9 and TIMP-1 levels in sputum and plasma were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: Allergen challenge increased the percentage of sputum eosinophils and MMP-9 levels 6 and 24 h after the challenge compared to baseline levels, but TIMP-1 levels did not vary significantly. A significant correlation was observed between MMP-9 levels at 6 h and the maximum percent fall in FEV(1) during the late response. Throughout the study, MMP-9 levels correlated significantly with the number of neutrophils in sputum. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that analysis of induced sputum is a useful tool to study the variations in MMP-9 and TIMP-1 levels following allergen challenge, therefore allowing to evaluate their role in allergen-induced airway damage and repair. Copyright 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel
BACKGROUND:Asthma is characterized by airway inflammation and remodeling in which matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP) play an important role. Allergen exposure activates the inflammatory/repair process in sensitized subjects. Induced-sputum analysis is a non-invasive method that allows the assessment of changes in inflammatory and remodeling mediators implicated in asthma. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the changes in MMP-9 and its principal inhibitor (TIMP-1) in sputum and plasma of mild allergic asthmatic subjects after whole-lung allergen challenge. METHODS: Induced sputum and blood samples were obtained at baseline, and 6 and 24 h after challenge. MMP-9 and TIMP-1 levels in sputum and plasma were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: Allergen challenge increased the percentage of sputum eosinophils and MMP-9 levels 6 and 24 h after the challenge compared to baseline levels, but TIMP-1 levels did not vary significantly. A significant correlation was observed between MMP-9 levels at 6 h and the maximum percent fall in FEV(1) during the late response. Throughout the study, MMP-9 levels correlated significantly with the number of neutrophils in sputum. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that analysis of induced sputum is a useful tool to study the variations in MMP-9 and TIMP-1 levels following allergen challenge, therefore allowing to evaluate their role in allergen-induced airway damage and repair. Copyright 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel
Authors: Gail M Gauvreau; Beth E Davis; Guy Scadding; Louis-Philippe Boulet; Leif Bjermer; Adam Chaker; Donald W Cockcroft; Barbro Dahlén; Wyste Fokkens; Peter Hellings; Nikolaos Lazarinis; Paul M O'Byrne; Ellen Tufvesson; Santiago Quirce; Maurits Van Maaren; Frans H de Jongh; Zuzana Diamant Journal: Eur Respir J Date: 2022-08-25 Impact factor: 33.795
Authors: Preston E Bratcher; Nathaniel M Weathington; Heidi J Nick; Patricia L Jackson; Robert J Snelgrove; Amit Gaggar Journal: PLoS One Date: 2012-07-30 Impact factor: 3.240