title: Macrophage metalloelastase (MMP-12) as a target for inflammatory respiratory diseases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  MMPs are known to regulate the turnover of extracellular matrix and have been suggested to be important in lung disease associated with tissue remodeling. Macrophage elastase (MMP-12) is able to degrade extracellular matrix components such as elastin and is involved in tissue remodeling in inflammatory respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), including emphysema. Recent studies using MMP-12 inhibitors have demonstrated a reduction in both the inflammatory process and airspace enlargement in lung tissue.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This review discusses the potential involvement of MMP-12 in the pathophysiological process and proposes MMP-12 as a target for inflammatory disorders of the respiratory system.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MMP-12 plays a predominant role in the inflammatory process induced by cigarette smoke, and therefore is potentially an important therapeutic target for the treatment of COPD.
authors.affiliation: Université de Rennes I, INSERM U620/EA MDC, 2, avenue du Pr. Léon Bernard, 35043 Rennes Cedex, France. vincent.lagente@univ-rennes1.fr
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lagente
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Le Quement
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Boichot
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D053508:Matrix Metalloproteinase 12 / Q000378:metabolism; D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; D053508:Matrix Metalloproteinase 12