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Matrix metalloproteinases contribute to the regulation of chemokine expression and pulmonary inflammation in Cryptococcus infection

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of extracellular proteases that play roles in regulating the immune response in inflammatory processes. Previous studies indicated that different MMPs were involved in the host defence and tissue damage in response to different pathogens. However, the contributions of MMPs during Cryptococcus infection have not been addressed clearly. Here, we examined the expression and activity of MMPs during Cryptococcus infection. Among MMP family members, we found significant increases of MMP‐3 and MMP‐12 mRNA levels and MMP12 zymographic activities in response to C. neoformans but not C. gattii infection. The expression of MMP12 was induced in RAW cells after C. neoformans treatment and in alveolar macrophages purified from C. neoformans‐infected mice. Interestingly, administration of MMP inhibitor GM6001 into C. neoformans‐infected mice resulted in a significantly increased pulmonary fungal burden with attenuated inflammatory cell infiltration. Corresponding to this finding, the expression of the macrophage‐ and neutrophil‐attracting chemokines CCL2 and CXCL1 was inhibited in the GM6001‐treated group and MMP12 levels were found to be correlated strongly with CCL2 mRNA expression. Thus, our data suggest that the induction of MMPs by C. neoformans infection potentiates inflammatory cell infiltration by modulating pulmonary chemokines, thereby promoting effective host immunity to pulmonary Cryptococcus infection.