Lung alveolar epithelial cells synthesize interstitial collagenase and gelatinases A and B in vitro.

Type II pneumocytes are multifunctional alveolar epithelial cells that play a major role in the maintenance of lung structure and function. Recent evidence supports that these cells can synthesize a variety of extracellular matrix components in vitro, suggesting an active participation in connective tissue remodeling. However, their possible role in extracellular matrix degradation is unknown. In this study the production of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) was examined in primary cultures of rat alveolar type II pneumocytes after 2 and 7 days in culture. Under basal conditions, at both periods type II cells expressed interstitial collagenase mRNA. The immunoreactive protein was detected both in the cells and in conditioned media, and collagenolytic activity was revealed after trypsin activation. Gelatinolytic activity was detected by zymography showing a relative molecular mass of approximately 72 and 92 kDa (gelatinases A and B). Phorbol treatment increased collagenase and gelatinase activities. In addition, three alveolar epithelial cell lines were analysed for MMP production: MLE-12 (mice), L2 (rat), and A549 (human). The cell lines A549 and MLE-12 revealed collagenase and gelatinase A and B activities whereas the L2 cell line only exhibited gelatinase A activity, even after PMA induction. These findings demonstrate that alveolar epithelial cells synthesize in vitro several MMPs that confer on them the ability to degrade extracellular matrix and basement membrane components, a capacity of considerable importance for the remodeling of the stromal/epithelial interface.