MMPs are significant in the physiological processes of embryo development, wound healing and differentiation related to tissue remodeling. However, the overexpression of several MMPs is involved in tumor invasion, metastasis, disregulated angiogenesis, inflammation and even cell destruction [1,[5][6][7][8][9].
MMP SubfamiliesThe first metalloproteinase was discovered in 1962 during a study of the ECM degradation re-
The Role of MMPsMatrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) belong to a family of structurally related zinc-dependent proteolytic enzymes that are known known to play a key role in the catabolic turnover of extracellular matrix (ECM) components. Research studies to date have indicated that MMPs regulate the activity of several non-ECM bioactive substrates, including growth factors, cytokines, chemokines and cell receptors, which determine the tissue microenvironment. These activities are implicated in a number of essential physiopathological processes
AbstractMatrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) belong to a family of structurally related zinc-dependent proteolytic enzymes that are known to play a key role in the catabolic turnover of extracellular matrix (ECM) components. Research studies to date have indicated that MMPs regulate the activity of several non-ECM bioactive substrates, including growth factors, cytokines, chemokines and cell receptors, which determine the tissue microenvironment. Disruption of the balance between the concentration of active matalloproteinases and their inhibitors (TIMPs) may lead to pathological changes associated with uncontrolled ECM turnover, tissue remodeling, inflammatory response, cell growth and migration. This brief review presents some information on MMPs' role in inflammatory, metabolic and cancer abnormalities related to the salivary glands, as well as MMP-related aspects that lead to the formation of human dentinal caries lesions. In oral diseases, the most relevant biological fluid commonly used for diagnosing periodontal diseases is saliva. In diseased patients with significantly higher levels of MMPs in their saliva than healthy people, most extracellular matrix components undergo digestion to lower molecular weight forms. Conventional treatment successfully reduces the levels of MMPs inhibits the progressive breakdown of gingival and periodontal ligament collagens. Beside inflammatory abnormalities like Sjögren's syndrome (SS), a large group of disorders is comprised of cancers, most of them involving the parotid gland (Adv Clin Exp Med 2016, 25, 2, 383-390).