RESUMO
Matrix Metaloproteinases [MMPs], produced mainly by fibroblasts, play a major role in wound healing processes. This study aimed to investigate the MMP2 activity in dermal fibroblasts found in chronic contact nickel dermatitis lesions. In order to study the role of MMP2 in contact nickel dermatitis, fibroblast from patients and healthy individuals were cultured based on ex-plantation of skin. MMP2 activity was measured in fibroblast culture media using zymoanalysis. Zymograms were then analyzed by quantitative densitometry. MTT assay was also used to evaluate and compare proliferation capacity of fibroblasts in both cell cultures. The mean MMP2 activity 6-8 days after ex-plantation was significantly higher in patients fibroblasts than in normal individuals [170 +/- 9.2 and 134.3 +/- 5.9 in patients and normals, respectively [p < 0.05]. The proliferation capacity of patients' fibroblasts was significantly higher than that of normal cases [385938 +/- 2816 and 270261 +/- 6527 respectively, p < 0.05] in the same days. Our study shows a significant increase in degenerative activity of fibroblasts in nickel dermatitis lesions. It was also seen that the MMP2 activity per cell was significantly higher in patients' fibroblasts compared to healthy individuals and that gelatinolytic activity of MMP2 is independent of cell number. Therefore, intra-and inter-cellular signals may be altered in fibroblasts of nickel dermatitis lesions which lead to promotion of fibroblast response to mitogenic and fibrogenic stimulations
Assuntos
Humanos , Metaloproteinase 2 da Matriz , Níquel , FibroblastosRESUMO
Augmentation of Th2 mediated responses such as elevation of serum IgE is the characteristic feature in atopy and asthma. CpG oligonucleotides [CpG ODN] have been used during the recent two decades as the potent immunomodulatory agents in allergic conditions. In this paper, we aim to report the anti-inflammatory effects of CpG ODN in murine model of asthma. In this study, BALB/c mice were sensitized with ch.a. allergen and then treated intranasally with CpG ODN. Following the challenge with allergen inhalation, mice were sacrificed and their splenocytes were cultured in the presence of antigen. After three days of culture, supernatants were examined for IFN-gamma levels by ELISA method, as an indication of Th1 response, and the results were compared with those in control mice without CpG therapy. The results indicate that the mice in the test group, which received CpG ODN, showed higher levels of systemic INF-gamma, and lower levels of serum IgE compared with either the antigen or CpG negative ODN-treated groups. Based on the results of this study, which shows higher INF-gamma levels in mice received CpG ODN, it can be concluded that CpG motifs have immune response modulation potential apparently through the deviation of Th2 into Th1 responses, which lead to a decrease in IgE antibody level. Accordingly, we suggest that these components can have therapeutic effects in the asthma caused by ch.a. allergen