Immunohistochemical study of matrix metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors in pulmonary Langerhans' cell granulomatosis.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) in the pathogenesis of the lesions of pulmonary Langerhans' cell granulomatosis.

DESIGN

Immunohistochemical and confocal microscopic studies were made of lung biopsy specimens from five patients with pulmonary Langerhans' cell granulomatosis.

RESULTS

The reactivity of Langerhans' cells was moderate to intense for MMP-2, weaker for MMP-9, and faint for TIMP-1 and TIMP-2. Type IV collagen colocalized with MMP-2 in areas of damage to epithelial basement membranes, a finding that emphasizes the potential importance of this enzyme in the pathogenesis of the destructive lesions of pulmonary Langerhans' cell granulomatosis. In the more advanced fibrotic lesions, TIMP-2 colocalized with basement membranes and with fibrillar collagen, suggesting that it contributes to the permanence of the fibrosis.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate an important role for MMPs and TIMPs in pulmonary Langerhans' cell granulomatosis.