Hypoxia induces alteration of MMP-2 and TIMP-1 expression in pulmonary artery fibroblasts / 中国病理生理杂志

ABSTRACT

AIM: To investigate the effect of hypoxia on the expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-1 in pulmonary artery fibroblasts. METHODS: MMP-2 activity was measured by using gelatin zymography. TIMP-1 protein level was determined by immunocytochemistry and Western blotting. mRNA expression was determined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: The production of MMP-2 mRNA and protein was down-regulated in pulmonary artery fibroblasts exposed to hypoxia for 24 h. Gelatin zymography also demonstrated that lower level of MMP-2 activity was induced after hypoxia. Meanwhile, hypoxia induced the up-regulation of TIMP-1 mRNA and protein in pulmonary artery fibroblasts. CONCLUSION: Hypoxia induces unbalance of MMP-2/TIMP-1 in pulmonary artery fibroblasts, which may contribute to the mechanism of hypoxic pulmonary vascular remodeling.