Figure 2.

Expression of matrilysin in injured tracheal explants. Sections of a segment of normal human trachea were incubated in culture medium at 37°C for 5 days (d5) before fixation and immunohistochemistry for matrilysin protein [39]. The edge of the biopsy and the margin of basement membrane, which is the clear area underlying the epithelium, is marked by the large arrow. By 5 days postplating, the epithelial cells have migrated progressively and intense staining for matrilysin is observed in these migrating cells, especially those in close contact with the underlying matrix. Release of matrilysin towards the matrix was seen in association with some cells (small arrows). No signal was seen in sections processed with preimmune serum (PI). Bar = 20 μm. (Reproduced from [39]; copyright permission of The American Society for Clinical Investigation.)