Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in numerous tissue-remodeling processes. The finding that mice deficient in collagenase-2 (MMP-8) are more susceptible to develop skin cancer, prompted us to investigate the role of this protease in cutaneous wound healing. We have observed a significant delay in wound closure in MMP8-/- mice and an altered inflammatory response in their wounds, with a delay of neutrophil infiltration during the first days and a persistent inflammation at later time points. These changes were accompanied by alterations in the TGF-beta1 signaling pathway and by an apoptosis defect in MMP8-/- mice. The delay in wound healing observed in MMP8-/- mice was rescued by bone marrow transplantation from wild-type mice. Analysis of other MMPs showed that MMP8-/- mice had a significant increase in the expression of MMP-9, suggesting that both proteases might act coordinately in this process. This possibility was further supported by the novel finding that MMP-8 and MMP-9 form specific complexes in vivo. Taken together, these data indicate that MMP-8 participates in wound repair by contributing to the resolution of inflammation and open the possibility to develop new strategies for treating wound healing defects.

A large subset of patients with chronic renal failure showed PBMC resistance to cyclosporine and prednisolone. Hyperresistant patients have a high risk of being refractory to immunosuppressive therapy with one of these drugs. Alternative treatment should be considered according to the individual drug-sensitivity data.

Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) participates in the breakdown of the extracellular matrix (ECM) by augmenting matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression. In the present study, we identified and characterized the menstrual cycle-dependent expression of EMMPRIN in human endometrium in vivo. At the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle, EMMPRIN was detected in glandular epithelium of the basal layer in endometrium. In addition, at the superficial region of the functional layer, EMMPRIN was expressed in stroma but not glandular epithelium. At the secretory phase, EMMPRIN was found in both stroma and glandular epithelium of the functional layer and glandular epithelium of the basal layer. Furthermore, EMMPRIN colocalized with MMP-1/collagenase-1 in the glandular epithelium in vivo. Western blot analysis of tissue from the functional layer showed that EMMPRIN species with molecular weights of approximately 35 and 47 kDa were detected at the proliferative phase, whereas approximately 35- and 51-kDa EMMPRIN species were predominantly expressed at the secretory phase. In addition, the variant EMMPRIN molecules were found to differ in glycosylation. On the other hand, EMMPRIN was constitutively produced in primary cultured endometrial stromal and glandular epithelial cells. The production and glycosylation of EMMPRIN in the stromal cells were augmented by progesterone at the posttranscriptional and posttranslational stages, respectively. These results suggest for the first time that EMMPRIN is expressed in human endometrium during the menstrual cycle and that its expression and glycosylation are augmented by progesterone. Moreover, EMMPRIN may be involved in ECM breakdown at the interface between endometrial cells and ECM by using EMMPRIN-bound MMP-1.