Role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and MMP inhibitors on intracranial aneurysms: a review article

Cerebrovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death in the world, and about one-fourth of cerebrovasculardeaths are due to ruptured cerebral aneurysms (CA). Hence it is important to find a way to reduce aneurysmformation and its subsequent morbidity and mortality. Proteolytic activity capable of lysing gelatin hasbeen shown to be increased in aneurysm tissue and expression of plasmin, membrane-type matrix metalloproteinase-1(MT1-MMP), and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in aneurysmal wall is more than what we observein normal cerebral arteries. MMP inhibitors such as doxycycline and statins may prohibit aneurysm formationand growth. MMPs are important in tissue remodeling associated with various physiological and pathologicalprocesses such as morphogenesis, angiogenesis, apoptosis and tissue repair. In this article we review therole of MMPs and MMP inhibitors in formation of aneurysm.