Human t lymphocytes express a member of the matrix metalloproteinase gene family

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Abstract
Objective. T lymphocytes are known to interact with cellular and structural components of the extracellular matrix. We investigated whether T lymphocytes could also contribute to matrix breakdown by expression of a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) gene. Methods. Complementary DNA (cDNA) was synthesized from messenger RNA extracted from cultured peripheral blood T lymphocytes after exposure to phorbol myristate acetate and calcium ionophore A23187 and amplified by the polymerase chain reaction with primers derived from two conserved domains in MMP genes. Results. An amplification product of 402 basepairs was generated and cloned; sequence analysis revealed identity to human stromelysin‐2 cDNA. Using the amplified stromelysin‐2 cDNA as a probe for Northern analyses, we detected a 1.8‐kilobase transcript in stimulated T lymphocytes. Conclusion. T lymphocytes are a potential source of stromelysin‐2 transcripts and may have a role in the degradation of extracellular matrix constituents.