Matrix metalloproteinases in asthma and COPD

• Published in: Current opinion in pharmacology Vol. 5; no. 3; pp. 257 - 263
• Main Authors: Demedts, Ingel K, Brusselle, Guy G, Bracke, Ken R, Vermaelen, Karim Y, Pauwels, Romain A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-06-2005
• Subjects: Asthma - drug therapy; Asthma - enzymology; Asthma - etiology; Humans; Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; Matrix Metalloproteinases - adverse effects; Matrix Metalloproteinases - physiology; Protease Inhibitors - therapeutic use; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive - drug therapy; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive - etiology; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 - therapeutic use
• ISSN: 1471-4892; 1471-4973
• DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2004.12.005

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are both highly prevalent, chronic inflammatory lung diseases that lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are extracellular matrix degrading enzymes that play a critical role in normal development and physiological tissue remodeling and repair. In addition, they play an important role in the regulation of the kinetics and function of inflammatory cells. There is increasing evidence that MMPs are involved in the pathogenesis of both asthma and COPD, and several MMPs are possible therapeutic targets in these common chronic airway diseases.