BACKGROUND/AIMS Arterial hypertension is characterized by vascular remodelling, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular complications. Matrix metalloproteases (MPPs) are endopeptidases produced by all the cells present in the vascular wall and are involved in the regulation of the extracellular matrix protein turnover. MMPs contribute to blood vessel formation, remodelling, angiogenesis; whereas an ...

Tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs) regulate the breakdown of extracellular matrix components and play an important role in tissue remodelling and growth, in both physiological and pathological conditions. We studied the autoimmune response to TIMPs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Eighty-nine paired blood and synovial fluid samples from patients with RA were asses...

Adult sarcomas are highly aggressive tumors that are characterized by high levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9 secretions that degrade the ECM and basement membrane, allowing cancer cells to spread to distal organs. Proteases play a key role in tumor cell invasion and metastasis by digesting the basement membrane and ECM components. Strong clinical and experimental evidence demons...

The migration of vascular cells is regulated by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs). Because the activation of adventitial fibroblasts has been implicated in coronary repair, we have examined regional differences in cell outgrowth and the synthesis of MMPs/TIMPs in different layers of porcine coronary arteries. Coronary medial explants demonstrated significantly...

The cyclic growth, differentiation, and cell death of endometrium represents the most dynamic example of steroid-driven tissue turnover in human adults. Key effectors in these processes-matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their specific inhibitors (TIMPs)-are regulated by ovarian steroids and, locally, by cytokines. We used reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction to evaluate the expres...

BACKGROUND Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their specific inhibitors (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases [TIMPs]), are involved in adipogenesis, angiogenesis and remodeling of extracellular matrix. MMPs and TIMPs have been shown to be associated with various diseases such as neurological disorders, malignancies and cardiovascular disease. MMPs and TIMPs are thought to play a major role...

Unregulated secretion of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) or their endogenous protein inhibitors (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases, TIMPs) has been implicated in tumor invasion and metastasis. Species of MMPs and TIMPs secreted by epithelial cultures of normal, benign, and malignant prostate were identified and their levels were compared. Fragments of fresh tissue were cultured in a serum...

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are proteolytic enzymes that degrade the components of the extracellular matrix (ECM). The balance between MMPs and their inhibitors [tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs)] in the pericellular environment determines the most significant proteolytic events in tissue remodeling. In vitro evidence is accumulating that these molecules may be crucial in the...

Lung cancer, the most prevalent cancer worldwide and malignant mesothelioma are highly aggressive tumors that are characterized by high levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9 secretion. Proteases play a key role in tumor cell invasion and metastasis by digesting the basement membrane and ECM components. Strong clinical and experimental evidence demonstrates association of elevated le...

Cancers of the breast, cervix, uterus and ovary are the most prevalent cancers in women worldwide. Proteases play a key role in tumor cell invasion and metastasis by digesting the basement membrane and ECM components. Strong clinical and experimental evidence demonstrates association of elevated levels of urokinase plasminogen activators (u-PA) an...