Changes in the expression and protein level of matrix metalloproteinases after exposure to waterpipe tobacco smoke

• Published in: Inhalation toxicology Vol. 27; no. 13; pp. 689 - 693
• Main Authors: Khabour, Omar F., Alzoubi, Karem H., Abu Thiab, Tuqa M., Al-Husein, Belal A., Eissenberg, Thomas, Shihadeh, Alan Louis
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Informa Healthcare 10.11.2015
• Subjects: Animals; Gene Expression Regulation - drug effects; Hookah; inflammation; Lung - drug effects; Lung - enzymology; Lung Injury - enzymology; Matrix Metalloproteinase 12 - genetics; Matrix Metalloproteinase 12 - metabolism; Matrix Metalloproteinase 13 - genetics; Matrix Metalloproteinase 13 - metabolism; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 - genetics; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 - metabolism; Mice, Inbred BALB C; MMP1; MMP12; MMP9; Nicotiana; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; Smoke - adverse effects; smoking; Smoking - metabolism; MMP12; MMP1; inflammation; MMP9; Hookah; smoking
• ISSN: 0895-8378; 1091-7691
• DOI: 10.3109/08958378.2015.1085471

Waterpipe smoking has become a worldwide epidemic with health consequences that only now are beginning to be understood fully. Because waterpipe use involves inhaling a large volume of toxicant-laden smoke that can cause inflammation, some health consequences may include inflammation-mediated lung injury. Excess matrix metalloproteinase expression is a key step in the etiology of toxicant exposure-driven inflammation and injury. In this study, changes in the level and mRNA of major matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1, -9, and -12) in the lungs of mice following exposure to waterpipe smoke were investigated. Balb/c mice were exposed to waterpipe smoke for one hour daily, over a period of 2 or 8 weeks. Control mice were exposed to fresh air only. ELISA and real-time PCR techniques were used to determine the protein and mRNA levels of MMP-1, -9, and -12 in the lungs. Our findings showed that MMP-1, -9, and -12 levels in the lung significantly increased after both 2 (p < 0.05) and 8 weeks (p < 0.01) exposures. Similarly, RT-PCR findings showed that mRNA of those proteinases significantly increased following 2 (p < 0.01) and 8 weeks (p < 0.001) exposures. In conclusion, waterpipe smoking is associated strongly with lung injury as measured by elevation in the expression of MMPs in the lung tissue.