Key result
Targeting matrix metalloproteinases for fibrosis treatment may impede their typical biological functions, potentially leading to detrimental effects.
Why the study?
Targeting matrix metalloproteinases to treat fibrosis may impede their typical functions across various biological processes and lead to detrimental effects.
This review emphasizes the complex role of MMPs in fibrosis and warns that targeting them therapeutically may lead to unintended detrimental effects due to their diverse biological functions.
MMP inhibition for fibrosis warrants clinical caution; leaves open selective or context-specific strategies for research.
Fibrosis is a type of chronic organ failure, resulting in the excessive secretion of extracellular matrix (ECM). ECM protects wound tissue from infection and additional injury, and is gradually degraded during wound healing. For some unknown reasons, myofibroblasts (the cells that secrete ECM) do not undergo apoptosis; this is associated with the continuous secretion of ECM and reduced ECM degradation even during de novo tissue formation. Thus, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are considered to be a potential target of fibrosis treatment because they are the main groups of ECM-degrading enzymes. However, MMPs participate not only in ECM degradation but also in the development of various biological processes that show the potential to treat diseases such as stroke, cardiovascular diseases, and arthritis. Therefore, treatment involving the targeting of MMPs might impede typical functions. Here, we evaluated the links between these MMP functions and possible detrimental effects of fibrosis treatment, and also considered possible approaches for further applications.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Chuang et al. (2019) conducted a review in Fibrosis. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) targeted therapy was evaluated. Targeting matrix metalloproteinases for fibrosis treatment may impede their typical biological functions, potentially leading to detrimental effects.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: