SHIH-CHAN LAI2026-10-162026-10-162007-12-01Pure ID: 15372877Pure UUID: de4660bb-0db4-420a-a338-0c8060e2a5eb10.1111/j.1365-2613.2007.00554.xhttps://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/36448994092https://scholars.csmu.edu.tw/handle/123456789/28546Pulmonary granuloma formation and fibrosis were experimentally induced in Sprague-Dawley strain rats by Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Increased protein levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, -9, -13 and the imbalance between these enzymes and metalloproteinase inhibitors, tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMP-1 and -2), occur during granulomatous fibrosis. Activation of proteolytic enzymes (MMP-2, -9 and -13) and fibronectin degradation occur simultaneously. Furthermore, the present study demonstrated that fibronectin avidly binds MMP-2, -9 or -13. Immunohistochemical observations also showed the localization of MMP-13, TIMP-1 and -2 within the infiltrating leucocytes. These results suggest that MMP-2, -9 and -13 may participate in the fibronectin degradation of A. cantonensis-induced granulomatous fibrosis.7enjournal article