Taken together, these results demonstrated for the first time that oxidized-LDL treatment and influenza virus infection synergistically enhance the expression of MMP-9 and proinflammatory cytokines in human endothelial cells, suggesting that both factors are potent stimulators in atherosclerotic impairment to endothelial cells.
These results suggest that influenza virus infection induces the gene expression of MMP-9 and the cleavage of pro-MMP-2 into an active intermediate form in human fetal membrane cells, resulting in weakening of the membranes through extracellular matrix degradation.
Increased intrahepatic cyclooxygenase 2, matrix metalloproteinase 2, and matrix metalloproteinase 9 expression is associated with progressive liver disease in chronic hepatitis C virus infection: role of viral core and NS5A proteins.