Vascular endothelial growth factor correlates with matrix metalloproteinase-9 in the pleural effusion

• Published in: Respiratory medicine Vol. 98; no. 2; pp. 115 - 122
• Main Authors: Jin, H.Y, Lee, K.S, Jin, S.M, Lee, Y.C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2004; Elsevier; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Blotting, Western; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Humans; Liver cirrhosis; Liver Cirrhosis - complications; Liver Cirrhosis - metabolism; Lung cancer; Lung Neoplasms - complications; Lung Neoplasms - metabolism; Lymphocytes; Male; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 - metabolism; Matrix metalloproteinase-9; Medical diagnosis; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Pathogenesis; Pleural effusion; Pleural Effusion - complications; Pleural Effusion - metabolism; Pneumology; Proteins; Respiratory system : syndromes and miscellaneous diseases; Tuberculosis - metabolism; Tumors of the respiratory system and mediastinum; Vascular endothelial growth factor; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A - metabolism; Matrix metalloproteinase-9; Pleural effusion; Lymphocytes; Pathogenesis; Vascular endothelial growth factor; Matrix metalloproteinase 9; Metalloendopeptidases; Mycobacterial infection; Carcinogenesis; Malignant effusion; Pleurisy; Pneumology; Lung disease; Respiratory disease; Enzyme; Cytokine; Pulmonary tuberculosis; Malignant tumor; Gelatinase B; Infection; Peptidases; Vascular endothelium growth factor; Bacteriosis; Hydrolases; Pleural disease; Growth factor
• ISSN: 0954-6111; 1532-3064
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2003.09.002

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent, multifunctional cytokine that contributes to angiogenesis and inflammation. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is one of the major proteolytic enzymes that degrade various components of the extracellular matrix. Few data are available on the potential relationship between VEGF and MMP-9 in the accumulation of pleural effusion. We examined levels of VEGF and MMP-9 by means of enzyme immunoassay, zymographic analysis, and Western blot analysis in the patients with liver cirrhosis, tuberculosis, or lung cancer. The levels of VEGF and MMP-9 were significantly increased in the pleural fluids and sera of patients with tuberculosis and were even higher in patients with lung cancer compared with the patients with liver cirrhosis. A significant correlation was established between the level of VEGF and the level of MMP-9 in the pleural effusion. These results suggest that overproduction of VEGF and MMP-9 is associated with accumulation of the pleural effusion in tuberculosis and lung cancer. The relationship between VEGF and MMP-9 in the pleural effusion may have a role in the pathogenesis of pleural fluid formation.