Increased production of matrix metalloproteinases 1 and 3 by smooth muscle cells upon infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae.

Abstract

Atherosclerosis has been linked to Chlamydia pneumoniae infection. In atherosclerotic arteries chlamydiae infect macrophages, endothelial cells, and smooth muscle cells (SMC). It has been suggested that the proteolysis of the extracellular matrix by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) is involved in the destabilisation and rupture of atherosclerotic plaques. In this study we investigated the expression of several MMPs and tissue inhibitors of MMP (TIMPs) in C. pneumoniae-infected SMC using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis. Chlamydial infection of SMC up-regulated the mRNA levels of MMP-1 (interstitial collagenase) and MMP-3 (stromelysin) but did not affect the expression of MMP-2 and -9 (gelatinases). Additionally, the levels of TIMP-1 and -2 mRNA remained unchanged upon infection. Cells infected with C. pneumoniae secreted increased quantities of MMP-1 and -3 proteins as demonstrated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The ability of C. pneumoniae to stimulate the production of MMP-1 and -3 by SMC may be important for its pathogenic role in the progression of atherosclerotic disease.

• Authors: Jürgen Rödel, Dirk Prochnau, Katrin Prager, Evdokia Pentcheva, Matthias Hartmann, Eberhard Straube
• Journal: FEMS immunology and medical microbiology (FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol) Vol. 38 Issue 2 Pg. 159-64 (Sep 22 2003) ISSN: 0928-8244 [Print] England
• PMID: 13129650 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• RNA, Messenger
• Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases
• Metalloproteases
• Matrix Metalloproteinase 3
• Matrix Metalloproteinase 1

Topics

• Arteriosclerosis (microbiology, physiopathology)
• Cells, Cultured
• Chlamydophila pneumoniae (pathogenicity)
• Humans
• Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 (biosynthesis, genetics)
• Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 (biosynthesis, genetics)
• Metalloproteases (metabolism)
• Muscle, Smooth, Vascular (cytology, enzymology, microbiology)
• RNA, Messenger (genetics, metabolism)
• Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
• Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases (metabolism)
• Up-Regulation