title: MT-MMPS as Regulators of Vessel Stability Associated with Angiogenesis.
abstract: The development of vascular system depends on the coordinated activity of a number of distinct families of molecules including growth factors and their receptors, cell adhesion molecules, extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules, and proteolytic enzymes. Matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) are a family of ECM degrading enzymes required for both physiological and pathological angiogenesis. Increasing evidence, point to a direct role of membrane type-MMPs (MT-MMPs) in vascular system stabilization, maturation, and leakage. Our understanding of the nature of MT-MMP interaction with extracellular and cell surface molecules and their multiple roles in vessel walls and perivascular stroma may provide new insights into mechanisms underlying vascular cell-ECM interactions and cell fate decisions in pathological conditions. Regulation of vascular leakage by MT-MMP interactions with the ECM could also lead to novel targeting opportunities for drug delivery in tumor. This review will shed lights on the emerging roles of MT1-MMP and MT4-MMP in vascular system alterations associated with cancer progression.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Tumor and Developmental Biology, Groupe Interdisciplinaire de Génoprotéomique Appliquée-Cancer, University of Liege Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: Nor Eddine
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Sounni
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Paye
authors.forename: Lorin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Host
authors.forename: Agnès
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Noël