Elevated matrilysin levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid do not distinguish idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis from other interstitial lung diseases.

Abstract

Microarray studies have shown that matrilysin or matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-7 is highly upregulated in the lungs of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), but MMP-7 protein expression has not been systematically compared between IPF and other interstitial lung diseases. MMP-7 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were compared to corresponding samples from nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), sarcoidosis, and healthy controls. MMP-7 levels in the BALF were determined by ELISA and localization of MMP-7 in the lung tissue by immunohistochemistry. MMP-7 was similarly elevated in the BALF of all these disorders compared to healthy controls (p=0.007). Even control subjects with prolonged cough displayed a tendency towards elevated MMP-7 expression. There was a negative correlation between BALF MMP-7 levels and forced expiratory vital capacity (r=-0.348, p=0.02, n=42). In IPF lung, MMP-7 immunoreactivity appeared predominantly in the fibrotic parenchyma and arterial wall. In sarcoidosis and NSIP, prominent MMP-7 immunoreactivity was found in areas of inflammation. These results demonstrate that elevated BALF MMP-7 is not restricted to IPF alone but is also observed in other interstitial lung diseases and cannot be used as a differential diagnostic marker for IPF.

• Authors: Kirsi Vuorinen, Marjukka Myllärniemi, Lauri Lammi, Päivi Piirilä, Paula Rytilä, Kaisa Salmenkivi, Vuokko L Kinnula
• Journal: APMIS : acta pathologica, microbiologica, et immunologica Scandinavica (APMIS) Vol. 115 Issue 8 Pg. 969-75 (Aug 2007) ISSN: 0903-4641 [Print] Denmark
• PMID: 17696954 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Matrix Metalloproteinase 7

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid (chemistry)
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Female
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Lung (enzymology)
• Lung Diseases, Interstitial (diagnosis, enzymology)
• Male
• Matrix Metalloproteinase 7 (analysis)
• Middle Aged
• Pulmonary Fibrosis (diagnosis, enzymology)