Increased net gelatinase but not serine protease activity in bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome

Abstract

Background: Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) is the main long-term complication after lung transplantation. Previous studies indicate that neutrophil mobilization causes high protease concentrations in the lung allograft during BOS. This study assessed net protease activity and the functional aspect of proteases in BOS. Methods: The net gelatinase and net serine protease activity was assessed in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid from 12 pairs of 24 lung allograft recipients with and without BOS, carefully selected from a larger cohort that was otherwise clinically matched. We determined the identity and total activity of gelatinases and concentrations of matrix metalloproteinases (MM..