Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 2, 2026

Detection of Functional Matrix Metalloproteinases by Zymography
Published on: November 8, 2010
Matrix metalloproteinases in blood from patients with LAM
Nao Odajima1, Tomoko Betsuyaku, Yasuyuki Nasuhara
1First Department of Medicine, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, N-15, W-7, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan.
Abstract:
Pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is characterized by the proliferation of abnormal smooth muscle cells (LAM cells) and destruction of alveolar structure. Immunohistochemical studies suggest that excess matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) synthesized by LAM cells function in the proteolytic mechanisms of this disease. We postulated MMP levels in the blood are elevated in LAM patients. Serum samples were collected from 36 LAM patients and 25 controls, and gelatinolytic activities were semi-quantified by gelatin zymography. The reliability of serum data for MMP-9 was confirmed by the measurement of MMP-9 concentration in plasma by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay as well as by gelatin zymography. Serum levels of MMP-9 (0.7+/-0.1 AU), but not MMP-2, were significantly elevated in LAM patients compared with controls (0.1+/-0 AU). Plasma and serum levels of MMP-9 significantly correlated. These results suggest the involvement of MMP-9 in LAM.
Related Concept Videos
Role of Matrix Metalloproteases in Degradation of ECM
A...
Laminins are the Adhesive Proteins of Basal Lamina
In humans, the five forms of alpha chains are LAMA 1, LAMA 2, LAMA 3, LAMA 4, and LAMA 5. The four forms of beta chains are LAMB 1, LAMB 2, LAMB 3, and LAMB 4. The three forms of gamma...