The pulmonary matrix, glycosaminoglycans and pulmonary emphysema

This paper reviews recent evidence of the effect of intratracheal hyaluronan (HA) to limit the induction of experimental emphysema in hamsters. Experimental emphysema was induced by both neutrophil and pancreatic elastase instilled intratracheally. Emphysema was quantified anatomically by measurement of alveolar mean linear intercept. Hyaluronidase, instilled intratracheally, enhanced the induction of experimental emphysema. Air-space size measured one week after intratracheal instillation of elastase showed that administration of 1 mg HA immediately following elastase administration resulted in a marked reduction in air-space enlargement (82 mu M vs 122 mu M, p < 0.01). Similarly, animals given either 1 or 2 mg HA 2h before elastase or 2 mg HA Ih after elastase showed a significant decrease in air-space enlargement compared to controls (96 mu M, 88 mu M vs 120 mu M and 66 mu M vs 104 mu M, respectively; p < 0.05. Experimental emphysema induced by neutrophil elastase was also limited by the administration of 1 or 4 mg of HA, administered 2 h prior to elastase (57 and 59 mu M, respectively vs 64 for controls, p < 0.05). Characterization of administered HA showed a mean molecular weight of 104,800 Da, less than 5% protein and a uronic acid/ hexosamine ratio of 1, which is characteristic of HA. Studies using fluorescein-labeled hyaluronan (HA) showed fluorescence associated with interstitial, pleural and vascular elastic fibers. The mechanism of attachment of the administered HA to elastin remains unknown. Fluorescein labeling of elastin was visible for at least 4 h post-instillation These studies indicate a protective effect of hyaluronan against elastase degradation of pulmonary elastin h vivo by both pancreatic and neutrophil elastases. The anatomical studies further suggest a mechanism of protective coating of hyaluronan which may limit access to pulmonary elastin from neutrophils and alveolar macrophages. Results also suggest that a reduction in pulmonary hyaluronan content increases the susceptibility of elastin to degradation by elastases. These studies provide evidence for an antielastase effect of hyaluronan which is not dependent upon enzyme inhibition but on anatomical protection of pulmonary elastin by other mechanisms.