Elevated concentrations of matrix metalloproteinase-12 and elastin degradation products in the sera of pregnant women infected withToxoplasma gondii

Abstract

Although the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-12 (MMP-12) appears to be increased in most inflammatory diseases, the role of this enzyme in the pathogenesis of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women, if any, is unknown. In a recent study in Taiwan, the serum concentrations of MMP-12 and its substrate elastin were evaluated in pregnant women with Toxoplasma gondii infection. Compared with the healthy pregnant and non-pregnant women used as controls, the pregnant women with toxoplasmosis had significantly higher serum concentrations of MMP-12 and significantly higher levels of elastin synthesis and degradation. Interaction between MMP-12 and elastin in the serum samples was confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation. It seems possible that MMP-12 may contribute to elastin degradation occurring during the pathogenesis of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women.

Elastin degradation products in acute lung injury induced by gastric contents aspiration

“…These investigations have shown small amounts of soluble elastin with a molecular weight of 70 kDa corresponding to the tropoelastin monomer present in normal tissues [37, 43, 44] without evidence of elastin degradation. With a similar approach we were able to detect lung soluble tropoelastin (70 kDa band) in lung tissue and BALF of control animals in the present study.…”

“…The use of antibodies to identify tropoelastin and its degradation products according to their molecular weight is very recent and most of the investigations refer to organs other than the lung [ 37 , 43 , 44 ]. These investigations have shown small amounts of soluble elastin with a molecular weight of 70 kDa corresponding to the tropoelastin monomer present in normal tissues [ 37 , 43 , 44 ] without evidence of elastin degradation. With a similar approach we were able to detect lung soluble tropoelastin (70 kDa band) in lung tissue and BALF of control animals in the present study.…”

“…After gastric fluid instillation, the density of the 70 kDa band changes with a similar pattern both in lung tissue and in BALF, with a peak at 4 h after instillation, and a progressive decline thereafter, in parallel with the progressive reduction in PMN cells. The few studies that use SDS-PAGE in other tissues in more chronic conditions, interpret the increment in the 70 kDa band density as secondary to an increment in tropoelastin synthesis [ 43 , 44 ]. However, in our model it is likely that the very early increment in this protein content, that takes place well before there is evidence of myofibroblasts in the alveolar structures may represent a large initial breakdown of mature elastin, rather than proof of an early increase in tropoelastin synthesis.…”

Cellular immunopathogenesis in primary Toxoplasma gondii infection during pregnancy

“…This study demonstrates that active traversal of cellular barriers is used by the parasite to gain access to biologically restricted organs in the host, including the brain and placenta. To reach such “immune‐privileged” sites, T. gondii must degrade the extracellular matrix (ECM) . T. gondii induced an increase in matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐12, MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 secretion in the sera of pregnant women and umbilical cords.…”

“…T. gondii induced an increase in matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐12, MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 secretion in the sera of pregnant women and umbilical cords. MMPs may be involved in ECM degradation and placental barrier dysfunction, facilitating T. gondii transmission to the foetus …”