Matrix metalloproteinases: The sculptors of chronic cutaneous wounds

Venkat Raghavan Krishnaswamy, Dvir Mintz, Irit Sagi

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Cutaneous wound healing is a complex mechanism with multiple processes orchestrating harmoniously for structural and functional restoration of the damaged tissue. Chronic non-healing wounds plagued with infection create a major healthcare burden and is one of the most frustrating clinical problems. Chronic wounds are manifested by prolonged inflammation, defective re-epithelialization and haphazard remodeling. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are zinc dependent enzymes that play cardinal functions in wound healing. Understanding the pathological events mediated by MMPs during wound healing may pave way in identifying novel drug targets for chronic wounds. Here, we discuss the functions and skewed regulation of different MMPs during infection and chronic tissue repair. This review also points out the potential of MMPs and their inhibitors as therapeutic agents in treating chronic wounds during distinct phases of the wound healing. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Proteolysis as a Regulatory Event in Pathophysiology edited by Stefan Rose-John.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2220-2227
Number of pages8
JournalBiochimica et Biophysica Acta - Molecular Cell Research
Volume1864
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2017

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

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