Metalloproteinases and metalloproteinase inhibitors in age-related diseases.
Degradation of the extracellular matrix is an important feature of embryonic development, morphogenesis, angiogenesis, tissue repair and remodeling. It is precisely regulated under physiological conditions, but when dysregulated it becomes a cause of many diseases, including atherosclerosis, osteoarthritis, diabetic vascular complications, and neurodegeneration. Various types of proteinases are implicated in extracellular matrix degradation, but the major enzymes are considered to be metalloproteinases such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain (ADAMs) that include ADAMs with a thrombospondin domain (ADAMTS). This review discusses involvement of the major metalloproteinases in some age-related chronic diseases, and examines what is currently known about the beneficial effects of their inhibitors, used as new therapeutic strategies for treating or preventing the development and progression of these diseases.
Simona
S
Gargiulo
Paola
P
Gamba
Giuseppe
G
Poli
Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine San Luigi Gonzaga, University of Turin, Regione Gonzole 10, 10043, Orbassano (Turin), Italy. giuseppe.poli@unito.it.
Gabriella
G
Leonarduzzi
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D018450:Disease Progression; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D045726:Metalloproteases / Q000378:metabolism
D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; D045726:Metalloproteases; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases