Complex integration of matrix, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in genetic emphysema.

ABSTRACT: Alveolar enlargement, which is characteristic of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, congenital matrix disorders, and cigarette smoke-induced emphysema, is thought to result from enhanced inflammation and ensuing excessive matrix proteolysis. Although there is recent evidence that cell death and oxidative stress punctuate these diseases, the mechanistic link between abnormal lung extracellular matrix and alveolar enlargement is lacking. We hypothesized that the tight-skin (TSK) mouse, which harbors a spontaneous internal duplication in the microfibrillar glycoprotein fibrillin-1, might show whether matrix alterations are sufficient to promote oxidative stress and cell death, injury cascades central to the development of clinical emphysema. We observed no evidence of increased metalloprotease activ

SUBMITTER: Podowski M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2708797 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature