Open AccessMetalloelastase is required for macrophage-mediated proteolysis and matrix invasion in mice.
Author(s) -
J. Michael Shipley,
Robin L. Wesselschmidt,
Dale K. Kobayashi,
Timothy J. Ley,
Steven D. Shapiro
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.93.9.3942
Subject(s) - proteolysis , macrophage , extracellular matrix , microbiology and biotechnology , basement membrane , secretion , extracellular , in vitro , matrix (chemical analysis) , chemistry , in vivo , biology , biochemistry , enzyme , chromatography
Macrophages secrete a variety of proteinases that are thought to participate in remodeling of the extracellular matrix associated with inflammatory processes. We have eliminated expression of the macrophage metalloelastase (MME) gene by targeted disruption to assess the role of this protein in macrophage-mediated proteolysis. We found that the macrophages of MME-deficient (MME-/-) mice have a markedly diminished capacity to degrade extracellular matrix components. In addition, MME-/- macrophages are essentially unable to penetrate reconstituted basement membranes in vitro and in vivo. MME is therefore required for macrophage-mediated extracellular matrix proteolysis and tissue invasion.