Collagenases and the serine proteinases elastase and cathepsin G in steroid-induced Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia

Abstract

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) is characterized by the formation of leaky alveoli and a foamy alveolar exudate. To induce PCP, male Wistar rats were immunosuppressed by oral dexamethasone treatment for 12 weeks, during which time all rats developed PCP. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was analyzed at that time and at 1, 2, and 4 weeks after the cessation of dexamethasone treatment, during which time the rats were recovering from PCP and immunosuppression (and was compared with the BALF obtained from healthy control rats), for type IV collagenase, elastase, cathepsin G, and collagenase activities. Scores for 72-kDa (matrix metalloproteinase type 2 [MMP-2]) and 92-kDa (MMP-9) type IV collagenase-gelatinase activities correlated with those for BALF macrophages (r = 0.58; P < 0.001) and neutrophils (r = 0.66; P < 0.001), respectively, suggesting that they may, in part, be derived from these cells. However, MMP-2 was constitutively expressed and may play a role in normal tissue remodeling. MMP-9 activity was highest in the group with PCP (1.8 ± 0.37; P > 0.05), with a gradual decline (1.0 ± 0.48 by week 4; P > 0.05) toward normal (0.67 ± 0.42) during recovery, which suggests a role for it in tissue-destructive inflammatory events. In rats with PCP the endogenously active collagenase was present at high levels compared with those in healthy controls (2.6 ± 0.69 versus 0.17 ± 0.17, respectively; P < 0.01), but they returned to normal by week 4 of recovery (0.42 ± 0.30; P > 0.05). Collagenase activity showed a correlation with cyst number (r = 0.57; P < 0.001). The BALF of rats with PCP also contained the serine proteinases, which may act as pro-MMP activators. Ultramorphology disclosed increased pinocytotic activities, subepithelial bleb formation, and degeneration and denudation of the basal lamina. These findings suggest that the increased activities of collagenases in BALF caused by the host response against P. carinii might contribute to leaky alveoli.