ABSTRACT
Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of eosinophilic meningitis caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis. In the present study, such meningitis in mice was found to be associated with elevated expression of MMP-9 mRNA, elevated MMP-9 concentrations and enhanced MMP-9 activity in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Immunocytochemistry showed that an anti-MMP-9 antibody reacted with macrophages, neutrophils and eosinophils from the CSF. As eosinophils are generally considered to be effector cells in host defence against A. cantonensis infection, high-resolution immuno-electron microscopy was then used to confirm the localization of MMP-9 in the eosinophils from the CSF. The method used, which was based on immunogold, indicated that the eosinophilic MMP-9 was mostly localized in the 'small' granules in the cytoplasm and along the cell membrane, and not in the crystalloid-containing secretory granules observed. It therefore appears that MMP-9 is synthesised and/or stored in the small granules of the eosinophils, and is released into the subarachnoid space of the host's brain by secretion or cell rupture.
Subject(s)
Angiostrongylus cantonensis , Cerebrospinal Fluid/enzymology , Eosinophilia/enzymology , Eosinophils/enzymology , Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/analysis , Meningitis/enzymology , Strongylida Infections/complications , Animals , Cerebrospinal Fluid/cytology , Eosinophilia/etiology , Eosinophilia/pathology , Eosinophils/ultrastructure , Male , Meningitis/etiology , Meningitis/pathology , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Microscopy, Electron/methods , Microscopy, Immunoelectron/methods , Strongylida Infections/enzymology , Strongylida Infections/pathologyABSTRACT
The effect of some reductones such as ascorbic acid (AsA), triose reductone (TR), epinephrine (Ep) and their derivatives on cyclic 3', 5'-adenosine monophosphate phosphodiesterase (cAMP PDE) was studied in the presence or absence of Cu2+. AsA, TR, Ep and the reductones related to them inhibited cAMP PDE activity. Among the reductones, TR showed the highest inhibition. AsA, 5-methyl-3,4-dihydroxytetrone, pyrocatechol, p-hydroxyquinone and resorcinol had a relatively high inhibiting activity. The type of inhibition of AsA, TR and Ep was uncompetitive, competitive and noncompetitive, respectively. Cu2+ enhanced the inhibitory action of the reductones markedly and altered the type of inhibition of the reductones.
