Tobacco smoke-induced lung emphysema in guinea pigs is associated with increased interstitial collagenase

Moisés Selman, Martha Montaño, Carlos Ramos, Beatriz Vanda, Carina Becerril, Javier Delgado, Raul Sansores, Roberto Barrios, Annie Pardo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

76 Scopus citations

Abstract

We examined the expression of interstitial collagenase and its enzymatic activity in lung damage induced by tobacco smoke. Guinea pigs were exposed to the smoke of 20 cigarettes per day from 1-8 wk. Age-matched guinea pigs were used as controls. At 6 and 8 wk of smoke exposure, lungs exhibited interstitial and peribronchiolar inflammation and moderate emphysematous changes. In situ hybridization of injured lungs revealed patchy expression of collagenase mRNA mainly in macrophages but also in alveolar epithelial and interstitial cells. Immunoreactive protein was detected in alveolar macrophages and in the alveolar walls and interstitium. Collagenolytic activity increased beginning in the 4th wk of exposure (0.7 ± 0.43 μg collagen degraded/mg collagen incubated relative to 0.23 ± 0.14 in controls; P < 0.05). At 6 and 8 wk, values were 0.85 ± 0.34 and 0.98 ± 0.33 compared with 0.25 ± 0.11 and 0.26 ± 13 in controls (P < 0.005 and 0.001). Collagen concentration decreased from 50.7 ± 8.5 mg/g dry wt in control lungs to 40.2 ± 5.0 and 42.9 ± 6.0 at 6 and 8 wk of exposure, respectively (P < 0.05). These results strongly suggest that increased interstitial collagen degradation plays a role in the development of lung emphysema.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)L734-L743
JournalAmerican Journal of Physiology - Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology
Volume271
Issue number5 15-5
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1996

Keywords

  • collagen
  • extracellular matrix
  • metalloproteinases

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
  • Cell Biology
  • Physiology
  • Physiology (medical)

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