Role for matrix metalloproteinase 9 in granuloma formation during pulmonary Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.

ABSTRACT: Recent studies have shown that matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are induced by Mycobacterium tuberculosis during pulmonary infection. Here, expression of MMP-9 during pulmonary M. tuberculosis infection was characterized to determine whether its production correlated with disease resistance in vivo and to determine what role, if any, MMP-9 might have in granuloma formation. Following aerosol infection with M. tuberculosis, dissemination of bacilli occurred earlier in the C57BL/6 resistant mouse strain than in the susceptible CBA/J strain, as was evident from an increased number of bacteria in the blood, spleen, and liver at day 14 after infection. In addition, early dissemination of the bacilli was associated with early induction of protective immunity as assessed from gamma interferon lev

SUBMITTER: Taylor JL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1695484 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature