MMPs in tuberculosis: granuloma creators and tissue destroyers
Padmini Salgame
Padmini Salgame
Published April 25, 2011
Citation Information: J Clin Invest. 2011;121(5):1686-1688. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI57423.
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Commentary

MMPs in tuberculosis: granuloma creators and tissue destroyers

Abstract

Most individuals infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis develop a latent infection, which does not progress to active tuberculosis (TB). This occurs, in part, because infected macrophages recruit immune cells to form a granuloma, isolating the bacteria and preventing its spread. In some individuals, granulomas undergo necrosis and tissue destruction occurs, releasing the bacteria and allowing the development of active disease. In this issue of the JCI, Elkington et al. provide evidence that M. tuberculosis drives the expression of MMP-1, which in turn promotes the collagen breakdown that leads to alveolar destruction in TB. These findings identify putative therapeutic targets for the prevention of TB.

Authors

Padmini Salgame

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Figure 1

The role of MMPs in the progression of tuberculous granuloma.

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The role of MMPs in the progression of tuberculous granuloma. MMP-9 from...
MMP-9 from epithelial cells initiates recruitment of new monocytes to the developing granuloma. As the granuloma matures, Th1 cells, regulatory T cells, and B cells are recruited to form a stable granuloma, and M. tuberculosis persists in a latent state. During reactivation, granulomas become caseating and necrotic, and excessive MMP-1 secretion from macrophages leads to collagen degradation and tissue destruction, which culminates in M. tuberculosis erosion into the airways.