Figure 8.

Immunohistochemical detection of MMP12 and MMP9 in 6- to 7-month-old SP-D (−/−) mice. Immunostaining for both MMP12 (A and B) and MMP9 (C and D) was enhanced in the lungs of SP-D (−/−) mice (B and D) compared with age-matched SP-D (+/+) mice (A and C). MMP12 immunopositive material was detected in regions of parenchyma composed of thickened alveolar septa and in adjacent macrophages (C). MMP9 immunopositive material was detected in alveolar spaces containing large, foamy and/or disintegrating alveolar macrophages (D). (Scale bar = 50 μm.)