OBJECTIVE: To examine the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in human bronchial epithelial cells treated with calcitonin-gene-related peptide (CGRP). METHODS: RT-PCR and gelatin zymography were performed to examine the dynamic expression and activity of MMP-9 in human bronchial epithelial cells at different doses (10(-10), 10(-9), 10(-8), 10(-7), and 10(-6)mol/L) and different time points (6,12,18,24,36, and 48h) after the stimulation of CGRP. RESULTS: The unstimulated human bronchial epithelial cells only secreted a small amount of MMP-9. After the CGRP stimulation, the expressi...