Thymic alterations induced by Plasmodium berghei: Expression of matrix metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors

- Thymus presents extensive tissue degradation during experimental malaria infection.
- Altered expression of MMPs and TIMPs were found in thymus from infected mice.
- MMP-2, -9 and TIMP-1,-2 expression are increased in thymus from infected animals.
- MMP-2 must be involved in degradation of thymic ECM during plasmodium infection.