Correlations between Extracellular Matrix Components in Mouse Lungs during Chronic BCG-Induced Granulomatosis

Correlations between extracellular matrix components in mouse lungs were examined during various terms of BCG-induced granulomatosis (on postinfection days 3, 30, 60, 90, and 180). During the development of pathological process, the revealed dynamic interrelations between structural units of proteoglycans and hydroxyproline weakened. Most correlations were observed on postinfection day 180. They reflect the relationships not only between the structural units of proteoglycans but also between collagens, presumably determining the maximum degree of fibrosis at this period. The established correlations characterize the systemic nature of reactions in extracellular matrix and its versatile implications determined by the processes going on in the organs and tissues during the onset and development of generalized pathology.