We investigated the gene expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in peripheral blood cells from cattle infected with Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Map) in the ELISA-negative subclinical stage compared with uninfected control cattle. Real-time reverse transcription-PCR analysis revealed significantly decreased MMP-9 expression and increased TIMP-1 expression in peripheral blood cells from Map-infected cattle after stimulation with Map lysate and Map purified protein derivative (PPD) compared with control cattle. In contrast to the uninfected controls, the MMP-9 activity was also decreased in peripheral blood cell culture supernatants from Map-infected cattle at 24 h after Map lysate and Map PPD stimulation. Gelatin zymography analysis by using culture supernatant showed similar tendency to those by RT-PCR. Thus, MMP-9 might play an important role in the development of Map infection.
(Research Team for Paratuberculosis)
References:
Wang X. et al. (2011) Anim. Biotechnol. 22: 44-49
