title: A therapeutic role for matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors in lung diseases?
abstract: Disruption of the balance between matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their endogenous inhibitors is considered a key event in the development of pulmonary diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, interstitial lung diseases and lung cancer. This imbalance often results in elevated net MMP activity, making MMP inhibition an attractive therapeutic strategy. Although promising results have been obtained, the lack of selective MMP inhibitors, together with limited knowledge regarding the exact functions of a particular MMP, hampers clinical application. This review discusses the involvement of different MMPs in lung disorders and future opportunities and limitations of therapeutic MMP inhibition.
authors.affiliation: Dept for Molecular Biomedical Research, VIB, Ghent University, Ghent (Zwijnaarde), Belgium.
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Vandenbroucke
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dejonckheere
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Libert
mesh_terms: D055371:Acute Lung Injury / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology / Q000503:physiopathology; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000503:physiopathology; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology / Q000503:physiopathology; D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000502:physiology; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases