title: Membrane-type matrix metalloproteinases: key mediators of leukocyte function.
abstract: Leukocytes are major cellular effectors of the immune response. To accomplish this task, these cells display a vast arsenal of proteinases, among which, members of the MMP family are especially important. Leukocytes express several members of the MMP family, including secreted- and membrane-anchored MT- MMPs, which synergistically orchestrate an appropriate proteolytic reaction that ultimately modulates immunological responses. The MT-MMP subfamily comprises TM- and GPI-anchored proteinases, which are targeted to well-defined membrane microdomains and exhibit different substrate specificities. Whereas much information exists on the biological roles of secreted MMPs in leukocytes, the roles of MT-MMPs remain relatively obscure. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the expression of MT-MMPs in leukocyte and their contribution to the immune responses and to pathological conditions.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica Facultad de Química, Gral. Flores 2124, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay CP 11800. mmarco@fq.edu.uy
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marco
authors.forename: Carl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fortin
authors.forename: Tamas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fulop
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000201:enzymology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D004681:Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000276:immunology; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000201:enzymology; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000201:enzymology; D053504:Matrix Metalloproteinases, Membrane-Associated / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000201:enzymology; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D019714:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D019714:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases; D053504:Matrix Metalloproteinases, Membrane-Associated
keywords: extracellular matrix; immune system cells; inflammation; migration; proteases