Detection ofMetalloproteinases in Lung Tissue after Sudden andViolent Death

Overview

During early stages of chronic hypoxia under experimental conditions in the lungs alveolarmacrophages are activated and in the latter an increased amount of matrix-metalloproteinasecollagenolytic enzymes is produced. Their presence was assessed in the present study in the lungsof infants who died suddenly (SIDS) and also in subjects who died from a violent death incl. acuteand protracted external suffocation. The positive findings of these matrixins, in particular MMP-9(gelatinase) were assessed in alveolar macrophages not only after protracted suffocation but alsoin the majority of sudden infant deaths. These findings supplement the mosaic of changes whichindicate that sudden infant deaths are preceded by a period when the infant was exposed tohypoxia.

Key words:
sudden infant death - chronic hypoxia - metalloproteinases