[Effect of thalidomide on the MMP-2 protein expression and mast cells in the lung fibrosis induced by bleomycin in mice]

ABSTRACT

Introduction and Aims: matrix metallo proteinase-2 [MMP-2] is a family of proteolytic enzymes involved in degrading and remodeling the extracellular matrix and basement membrane. Researchers have shown that Mast cells have an important role in the inflammatory disease including lung fibrosis and they can be as the source of MMP-2 protein. The aim of this research is the examination of Thalidomide effect on the MMP-2 protein expression and Mast cells in the lung fibrosis induced by Bleomycin in mice