Effect of cytomegalovirus infection on expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 in human endothelial cells / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of cytomegalovirus infection on expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 in human endothelial cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were cultured in vitro. Cells between 3-6 passages were infected with cytomegalovirus for different time. Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 mRNA was analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, matrix metalloproteinase-2 activity was detected by gel zymography.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 mRNA and its activity 6 hours after infection was almost equal to control, and was greatly enhanced 12 and 24 hours after infection.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Cytomegalovirus infection up-regulates expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 in human endothelial cells. It might be one of the mechanisms that cytomegalovirus is involved in atherosclerosis.</p>