Metalloproteinases and their inhibitors: regulators of wound healing.
Wound healing is a dynamic process that involves a coordinated response of many cell types representing distinct tissue compartments and is fundamentally similar among tissue types. Among the many gene products that are essential for restoration of normal tissue architecture, several members of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family function as positive and, at times, negative regulators of repair processes. MMPs were initially thought to only function in the resolution phase of wound healing, particularly during scar resorption; however, recent evidence suggests that they also influence other wound-healing responses, such as inflammation and re-epithelialization. In this review, we discuss what is currently known about the function of MMPs in wound healing and will provide suggestions for future research directions.
Gill
Sean E
SE
Center for Lung Biology, University of Washington, 815 Mercer Street, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. segill@u.washington.edu
Parks
William C
WC
D000818:Animals; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D006801:Humans; D045726:Metalloproteases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D019714:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases / Q000502:physiology*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*
D019714:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases; D045726:Metalloproteases