Endotoxemia shifts neutrophils with TIMP-free gelatinase B/MMP-9 from bone marrow to the periphery and induces systematic upregulation of TIMP-1.

Lipopolysaccharides or endotoxins elicit an excessive host inflammatory response and lead to life-threatening conditions such as endotoxemia and septic shock. Lipopolysaccharides trigger mobilization and stimulation of leukocytes and exaggerated production of pro-inflammatory molecules including cytokines and proteolytic enzymes. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) or gelatinase B, a protease stored in the tertiary granules of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, has been implicated in such inflammatory reactions. Moreover, several studies even pinpointed MMP-9 as a potential target molecule to counter excessive inflammation in endotoxemia. Whereas the early effect of lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation