Association of circulating levels of MMP-8 with mortality from respiratory disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are implicated in the destruction of the joint and have been shown to be strongly associated with inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Circulating MMPs have also been associated with cardiovascular disease in the general population, and are predictive of cardiovascular mortality. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether circulating levels of MMPs are predictive of mortality in RA

A study on expression levels of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in patients with ulcerative colitis

Purpose: To investigate the expression levels of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in ulcerative colitis patientsMethods: In this investigation, the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) were evaluated in 50 patients with ulcerative colitis, which comprised of 36 males and 14 females. The tissue samples were obtained from the core needle of sample and evaluated using immunochemistry techniques.Results: The prevailing MMP-9 and TIMP-1 expressions in the glandular epithelium and inflammatory cells were observed. In addition, the expressions were coupled with architectural changes in the tissues and inflammation in the lamina propria. It was also observed that the expression of MMPs and inhibitors with weak activation established the progress of ulcerative colitis. Statistical correlation between the MMP expressions and histopathological parameters was also very significant. MMP expression correlated with weaker expression of TIMPs.Conclusion: MMPs, especially MMP-2, MMP-7 and MMP-9, may provide a potential target for controlling ulcerative colitis.Keywords: Ulcerative colitis, Matrix metalloproteinases, Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases, Lamina propria, Inflammatio

Роль матриксных металлопротеиназ (ММП) при злокачественных новообразованиях. І. характеристика ммп, регуляция их активности, прогностическое значение

Рассмотрены и обобщены современные представления о классификации, структуре, функциях и регуляции матриксных металлопротеиназ, об их роли в прогрессировании опухолевого процесса и прогностической значимости. Ключевые слова: матриксные металлопротеиназы (ММП), регуляция ММП, злокачественные новообразования, инвазия, метастазирование, прогностическая значимость.Present-day ideas dealing with classification, structure, functions, and regulation of matrix metalloproteinases are reviewed and summarized. Special emphasis is put on their role in tumor progression and prognostic value. Key Words: matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), MMPs regulation, malignancies, invasion, metastasizing, prognostic value

Membrane type-matrix metalloproteinases and tumor progression

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of zinc endopeptidases that process growth factors, growth factor binding proteins, cell surface proteins, degrade extracellular matrix (ECM) components and thereby play a central role in tissue remodeling and tumor progression. Membrane-type matrix metalloproteinases (MT-MMPs) are a recently discovered subgroup of intrinsic plasma membrane proteins. Their functions have been extended from pericellular proteolysis and control of cell migration to cell signaling, control of cell proliferation and regulation of multiple stages of tumor progression including growth and angiogenesis. This review sheds light on the new functions of MT-MMPs and their inhibitors in tumor development and angiogenesis, and presents recent investigations that document their influence on various cell functions.Peer reviewe

The role of metalloproteinases in endometrial remodelling during menstrual cycle

Endometrium is the only tissue in the human body subject to cyclic transformations under the influence of ovarian steroid hormones. As estradiol and progesterone balance throughout the physiological menstrual cycle changes, so does the expression of metalloproteinases (MMPs). These endopeptides are responsible for keeping the balance between the process of synthesis and degradation of extracellular matrix proteins. Thus, MMP’s take part in sustaining physiological stability of the endometrium. A number of MMPs found in the endometrial tissue and their activity is related to menstrual cycle phase. This paper is an up-to-date review of literature of Medline database. The search was conducted for key words including “matrix metalloproteinases”, “MMPs”, “TIMPs” and “tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases”. Over 1092 publications regarding interdependence and interplay between ovarian hormones and the role of various MMPs and their inhibitors in normal endometrial remodelling and in pathological conditions were analysed and critically reviewed

A study on the expression levels of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in patients with ulcerative colitis

Purpose: To investigate the expression matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients admitted to The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.Methods: The expression of MMPs and TIMPs) was evaluated in 50 patients (36 males, 14 females) with UC who were admitted to The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi, China. Tissue samples obtained from core needle biopsies were evaluated using immunochemistry techniques.Results: MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were strongly expressed in the glandular epithelium and inflammatory cells. In addition, the expression was coupled with changes in the tissue architecture and inflammation in the lamina propria. The expression of MMPs and weak activation of their inhibitors was related to UC progression. There were significant correlations between MMP expression and histopathological parameters (p = 0.051, R = 0.392). MMP expression correlated with weaker expression of TIMPs (p = 0.032, R = 0.0581)Conclusion: MMP-2, MMP-7, and MMP-9 are potential targets for therapeutic control of UC.Keywords: Glandular epithelium, Inflammatory cells, Inhibitors, Matrix  metalloproteinases (MMPs), Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases, Ulcerative coliti

Matrix metalloproteinases in liver injury, repair and fibrosis.

The liver is a large highly vascularized organ with a central function in metabolic homeostasis, detoxification, and immunity. Due to its roles, the liver is frequently exposed to various insults which can cause cell death and hepatic dysfunction. Alternatively, the liver has a remarkable ability to self-repair and regenerate after injury. Liver injury and regeneration have both been linked to complex extracellular matrix (ECM) related pathways. While normal degradation of ECM components is an important feature of tissue repair and remodeling, irregular ECM turnover contributes to a variety of liver diseases. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are the main enzymes implicated in ECM degradation. MMPs not only remodel the ECM, but also regulate immune responses. In this review, we highlight some of the MMP-attributed roles in acute and chronic liver injury and emphasize the need for further experimentation to better understand their functions during hepatic physiological conditions and disease progression

Beneficial Regulation of Matrix Metalloproteinases for Skin Health

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are essential to the remodeling of the extracellular matrix. While their upregulation facilitates aging and cancer, they are essential to epidermal differentiation and the prevention of wound scars. The pharmaceutical industry is active in identifying products that inhibit MMPs to prevent or treat aging and cancer and products that stimulate MMPs to prevent epidermal hyperproliferative diseases and wound scars

Inhibitory antibodies designed for matrix metalloproteinase modulation

The family of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) consists of a set of biological targets that are involved in a multitude of severe pathogenic events such as different forms of cancers or arthritis. Modulation of the target class with small molecule drugs has not led to the anticipated success until present, as all clinical trials failed due to unacceptable side effects or a lack of therapeutic outcome. Monoclonal antibodies offer a tremendous therapeutic potential given their high target selectivity and good pharmacokinetic profiles. For the treatment of a variety of diseases there are already antibody therapies available and the number is increasing. Recently, several antibodies were developed for the selective inhibition of single MMPs that showed high potency and were therefore investigated in in vivo studies with promising results. In this review, we highlight the progress that has been achieved toward the design of inhibitory antibodies that successfully modulate MMP-9 and MMP-14