Multinucleate Giant Cells Release Functionally Unopposed Matrix Metalloproteinase‐9 In Vitro and In Vivo

• DOI: 10.1086/521030
• Publication Date: 2007-08-31T15:44:48Z
• Authors: Xing Wu Zhu; Nicholas M. Price; Robert H. Gilman; Sixto Recarvarren; Jon S. Friedland
• Keywords: Multinucleate; Monocyte; Matrix (chemical analysis)

Multinucleated giant cells (MGCs) are characteristic of granulomatous inflammation. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)- 9, the major monocyte-derived matrix metalloproteinase, is key in inflammatory tissue damage. At 72 h, MGCs secrete 153 ± 2.5 ng/mL MMP-9, compared with 115 3.8 during macrophage differentiation (P < .05). In contrast, level MGC secretion-specific inhibitor, inhibitor (TIMP)-1, lower Mature constitutively greater concentrations MMP-9 than do monocytes or macrophages tuberculous lymph-node biopsy samples express high levels adjacent to areas necrosis, whereas TIMP-1 not detected. Thus, potentially important sources secretion and may contribute damage human tuberculosis.