Glucocorticoid induced tumor necrosis factor receptor (GITR), a new TNFR family, increased production of matrix matalloproteinase (MMP-9) in murine macrophages. Murine macrophages produced a band of gelatinolytic activity at 100 kDa when stimulated for 18 h with soluble GITR. MMP-9 was identified by gelatin zymography and Western blot. Previous results demonstrated that murine macrophages express GITR and GITR ligand constitutively. Induction of MMP-9 was synergistic with co-treatment of INF-gamma. MMPs could play a critical role in progression and promotion of tissue injury after inflammation stimulated by GITR/ligand system.

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The secretion of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-9) is stimulated by the glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor (GITR), a new tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) family, in murine macrophages via an activation of protein kinase C (PKC)delta and phospholipase D (PLD). Secretions of MMP-9 are stimulated by the phosphatidic acid (PA), a product of PLD activity and an inhibition of PA production by a 1-propanol inhibited secretion of MMP-9 by soluble GITR (sGITR). MMP-9 is not secreted by diacylglycerol (DAG) and an inhibitor of PA phosphatase has no effect on the secretion induced by sGITR, indicating that PA is responsible for MMP-9 secretion in murine macrophages. Our data indicates that sGITR-induced activation of PKCdelta and PLD increases MMP-9 secretions in macrophages.

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The purpose of this study is to investigate factors influencing financial strain experienced by elderly persons living alone. Data for this study were drawn from a national survey conducted by Louis Harris and Associates, Inc. in 1986 at the request of The Commonwealth Fund Commission on Elderly People Living Alone to obtain a picture of the resources, problems, needs and preferences of elderly Americans who live alone. For this study, a path model was tested by using multiple regressions. Demographic factors (gender, age and race) were statistically significant factors indirectly influencing financial strain through one economic factor (income) and one health‐related factor (physical limitations). Economic factors (income and health insurance coverage) and one health‐related factor (physical limitations) were statistically significant factors directly influencing financial strain.