Matrix Metalloproteinases in Inflammatory Bowel Disease - From Basic Research to Clinical Significance

Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of Zn2+-dependent endopeptidases that are considered to be the most potent proteases in the turnover of the extracellular matrix (ECM). In addition to their capability for degradating virtually all protein components of the ECM, MMPs regulate a variety of non-matrix substrates such as chemokines, cytokines and growth factors. Therefore MMPs play a central role in a variety of physiological and pathological processes such as angiogenesis, wound healing and inflammatory response including mucosal inflammation associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Apart from mucosal destruction in IBD, recent studies have identified several new functions of MMPs for the pathophysiology of the healthy and inflamed intestine. This article summarises the main activities of MMPs in IBD with emphasis on their pathophysiological relevance and potential clinical implications based on the expression and regulation patterns of these enzymes.