PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - P T G Elkington
AU  - J S Friedland
TI  - Matrix metalloproteinases in destructive pulmonary pathology
AID  - 10.1136/thx.2005.051979
DP  - 2006 Mar 01
TA  - Thorax
PG  - 259--266
VI  - 61
IP  - 3
4099  - http://thorax.bmj.com/content/61/3/259.short
4100  - http://thorax.bmj.com/content/61/3/259.full
SO  - Thorax2006 Mar 01; 61
AB  - Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of proteolytic enzymes that have a number of important physiological roles including remodelling of the extracellular matrix, facilitating cell migration, cleaving cytokines, and activating defensins. However, excess MMP activity may lead to tissue destruction. The biology of MMP and the role of these proteases in normal pulmonary immunity are reviewed, and evidence that implicates excess MMP activity in causing matrix breakdown in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), sarcoidosis, and tuberculosis is discussed. Evidence from both clinical studies and animal models showing that stromal and inflammatory cell MMP expression leads to immunopathology is examined, and the mechanisms by which excess MMP activity may be targeted to improve clinical outcomes are discussed.