Macrophage Depletion Induces Edema through Release of Matrix-Degrading Proteases and Proteoglycan Deposition

Extended antibody treatment of mice caused marked body weight gain, an indicator of enhanced body fluid retention. This was associated with an increase of ECM–remodeling metalloproteinases (MMPs), namely MMP2 and MMP3, and enhanced deposition of hyaluronan and proteoglycans, leading to skin thickening.