ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: In the idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP), it has been known that imbalance between matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) is important factor for abnormal remodeling of lung parenchyme. This study was performed to compare the expression of MMPs and TIMPs in the normal subjects and patients with IIP. METHODS: Seventeen patients were diagnosed as IIP by open lung biopsy (male: female 7:10) and four patients as normal control were diagnosed as lung cancer and treated by lobectomy or pneumonectomy from March, 1999 to August 2001 at Gil medical center. IIP group divided into UIP (n=10) and NSIP (n=7). MMP-1 and TIMP-2 of their lung tissue were stained by immunohistochemical method and were graded 4 levels (grage 0-3) following stained status. RESULTS: MMP-1 was stained more strongly in the IIP than normal. But it had no differences between UIP and NSIP. TIMP-1 and-2 were stained more strongly in the UIP than NSIP but not stained in the normal. In the UIP, TIMP-2 was stained strongly in fibroblast foci. CONCLUSION: These results suggst that imbalance between MMPs and TIMPs may be important factor of pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis in the IIP. It is thought that major site of TIMP-2 is myofibroblast in the fibroblast foci.