In vitro inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase activity in tracheal epithelial lining fluid from horses with recurrent airway obstruction.

Objective: To evaluate inhibitory effects of synthetic matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitors in vitro on gelatinolytic and collagenolytic activities in tracheal epithelial lining fluid (TELF) of horses with recurrent airway obstruction (RAO).

Animals: 10 horses with RAO and 5 healthy control horses.

Procedures: Substrate-based functional assays, collagen I and gelatin degradation, were used to measure endogenous collagenolytic and gelatinolytic activities in TELF.

Elevated levels of fragmented laminin-5 gamma2-chain in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from dogs with pulmonary eosinophilia.

Inflammation causes epithelial cell sloughing and basement membrane (BM) exposure in canine pulmonary eosinophilia (PE), leading to degradation of the epithelial cell attachment component, laminin-5 gamma2-chain, into small molecular weight fragments. The subsidence of inflammation after treatment down-regulates degradation. Laminin-5 gamma2-chain levels and molecular forms in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were analysed semiquantitatively by Western immunoblotting to compare PE affected (n=20) and healthy dogs (n=16) as well as PE dogs (n=6) before and after corticosteroid treatment.

Gelatinolytic matrix metalloproteinases-2 and -9 in tracheobronchial lavage fluid obtained from calves with concurrent infections of Pasteurella multocida and Mycoplasma bovirhinis.

Objective: To study gelatinolytic matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in tracheobronchial lavage fluid (TBLF) obtained from clinically normal calves and calves with Pasteurella multocida infection.

Sample Population: Samples of TBLF obtained from 11 calves with clinical signs of respiratory tract disease and growth of P multocida and Mycoplasma spp during culture of TBLF and samples of TBLF from 6 clinically normal calves with no bacterial growth during culture of TBLF.

Procedure: MMPs in TBLF were analyzed by use of gelatin zymography.

Direct activation of gelatinase B (MMP-9) by hay dust suspension and different components of organic dust.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in tissue destruction in allergic airway diseases. We studied the ability of various allergenic substances to directly activate recombinant 92kDa proMMP-9. The substances included hay dust suspension (HDS) and its components (supernatant, particulate matter and wash fluid of particulate matter), storage mite extract and two Aspergillus fumigatus extracts.

Effect of composition and different fractions of hay dust suspension on inflammation in lungs of heaves-affected horses: MMP-9 and MMP-2 as indicators of tissue destruction.

Reasons For Performing Study: Airway matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) increase following inhalation of organic dust. The relative contribution of dust components to this elevation is unknown.

Objective: To identify components of organic dust responsible for elevated MMP levels in equine airways.