Matrix Metalloproteinases in Health and Disease

The Effect of Leukocyte Removal and Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibition on Platelet Storage Lesions

The reasons for unfavorable changes in platelet concentrate (PC) quality during storage are not fully understood yet. We aimed to evaluate whether leukocytes and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) lead to a decrease in the quality of PCs and examine whether MMP inhibition will slow down the platelets' aging. Nine PCs were divided into three parts: (1) leukocyte-depleted (F) PCs, (2) PCs with no additional procedures (NF), and (3) PCs with the addition of an MMP inhibitor-doxycycline (D). Each PC was stored for 144 h, and a sample for testing was separated from each part on the day of preparation and after 24, 48, 72 and 144 h of storage. Blood morphological analysis, platelet aggregation, and the expression of activation markers were evaluated. MMP-2 and MMP-9 concentration, activity, and gene expression were assessed. Platelet aggregation decreased, and platelet activation marker expression increased during the storage. D concentrates showed the lowest level of platelet activation. In turn, leukocyte-depleted PCs showed the highest level of platelet activation in general. MMP-9 platelet activity was higher in leukocyte-containing concentrates at the end of the storage period. We concluded that the filtration process leads to a higher platelet activation level. The presence of doxycycline in PCs reduces the expression of the activation markers as compared to leukocyte-depleted concentrates.

Matrix metalloproteinases at a glance

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of zinc-dependent proteinases that belong to the group of endopeptidases or matrixins. They are able to cleave a plethora of substrates, including components of the extracellular matrix and cell-surface-associated proteins, as well as intracellular targets. Accordingly, MMPs play key roles in a variety of physiological and pathological processes, such as tissue homeostasis and cancer cell invasion. MMP activity is exquisitely regulated at several levels, including pro-domain removal, association with inhibitors, intracellular trafficking and transport via extracellular vesicles. Moreover, the regulation of MMP activity is currently being rediscovered for the development of respective therapies for the treatment of cancer, as well as infectious, inflammatory and neurological diseases. In this Cell Science at a Glance article and the accompanying poster, we present an overview of the current knowledge regarding the regulation of MMP activity, the intra- and extra-cellular trafficking pathways of these enzymes and their diverse groups of target proteins, as well as their impact on health and disease.

Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinases in Human Cystic Echinococcosis

BACKGROUND

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic disease caused by the Echinococcus granulosus senso lato (E. granulosus s.l.) larval stages. Parasitederived products have been shown to regulate host matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), contributing to CE pathogenesis and progressive liver fibrosis in intermediate hosts. The current study aimed to investigate the potential role of MMP1, 7, 8, and 13 in E. granulosus s.l-induced liver fibrosis.

METHODS

Thirty CE patients with active, transitional, or inactive hydatid cysts were enrolled in this study to determine the inductive effects of E. granulosus on the expression of MMP-1, MMP-7, MMP-8, and MMP-13 in healthy liver tissue and fibrotic liver tissue using qRT-PCR.

RESULTS

According to the WHO-IWGE classification, patients with functional cysts (CE1 and CE2) had the highest percentage (46.6%). MMP-1, MMP-7, MMP-8, and MMP-13 expression levels were significantly higher in fibrotic liver than in normal liver tissue. MMP-13 and MMP-1 had the highest and lowest expression levels among MMPs. Compared to the normal group, the fold change for MMP-13 in the fibrotic group was greater than 12 and had the highest AUC value (AUC= 0.8283).

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that E. granulosus-derived products might be involved in regulating host MMPs. Thus, MMPs may be considered potential biomarkers for predicting CE prognosis. Because of the non-normal distribution of our patients' CE types, further research, particularly on circulation MMPs, is needed to confirm the potential role of MMPs in CE pathogenesis and to follow up on CE patients.

Stage-Dependent Levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 in the Prognosis of Colorectal Cancer

PURPOSE

The development of sensitive and non-invasive biomarkers for the early detection of CRC and determination of their role in the individual stages of CRC.

METHODS

MMP-9 expression in serum and tissue, and BDNF expression in plasma were detected using the ELISA method. MMP-9 and BDNF in the tissue were also determined by immunohistochemical staining.

RESULTS

To assess the balance between changes in survival and tumor progression, we compared BDNF/MMP-9 ratios in tissues of living and deceased individuals. The tissue BDNF/MMP-9 ratio (evaluated immunohistochemically) decreased significantly with the progression of the disease in living patients. The BDNF/MMP-9 ratio was statistically significantly reduced in stages II and III compared to the benign group. However, in deceased individuals, the ratio showed an opposite tendency.

CONCLUSION

The determination of the tissue BDNF/MMP9 ratio can be used as a prognostic biomarker of CRC.

Extracellular matrix in synovium development, homeostasis and arthritis disease

Extracellular matrix (ECM) is a three-dimensional network entity composed of extracellular macromolecules. ECM in synovium not only supports the structural integrity of synovium, but also plays a crucial role in regulating homeostasis and damage repair response in synovium. Obvious disorders in the composition, behavior and function of synovial ECM will lead to the occurrence and development of arthritis diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis (OA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Based on the importance of synovial ECM, targeted regulation of the composition and structure of ECM is considered to be an effective measure for the treatment of arthritis disease. This paper reviews the current research status of synovial ECM biology, discusses the role and mechanism of synovial ECM in physiological status and arthritis disease, and summarizes the current strategies for targeting synovial ECM to provide information for the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of arthritis disease.

Protein arginine methyltransferase 1 upregulates matrix metalloproteinase-2/9 expression via Zeste Homolog 2 to promote human rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synovial cell survival and metastasis

OBJECTIVE

To explore the role of protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1) in the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS

Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) were isolated from synovial tissues, cultured and transfected with plasmid vector or short hairpin RNA (shRNA). The morphology and surface markers of FLS were investigated by light microscopy and flow cytometry. The expression levels of PRMT1, Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9 were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. Cell viability was tested by MTT assay, cell proliferation was assessed by EdU assay, cell invasion was evaluated by Transwell invasion test, cell migration was detected by wound healing assay, and cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

The expression of PRMT1 was elevated in RA synovial tissues compared with control tissues. FLS from control tissues showed a lower level of PRMT1 than FLS from RA tissues, and FLS from RA tissues had a stronger ability of cell survival and metastasis than those from control tissues. When silencing PRMT1 expression, FLS from RA tissues showed a decreased ability of cell survival and metastasis. Additionally, FLS from RA tissues expressed a higher level of MMP-2 and MMP-9. When silencing PRMT1 expression, the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 of FLS was suppressed. Furthermore, the effect of PRMT1 on FLS was mediated by EZH2.

CONCLUSION

We found that PRMT1 had an overall effect on FLS via EZH2, which contributed to the development of RA. Hence, PRMT1 and EZH2 provide potential targets for RA treatment.

Investigation of the Roles of MTHFR (C677T and A1298C) and MMP-2 (-1306C>T ) Variations in Bladder Cancer Development

OBJECTIVE

Bladder cancer is a complex malignancy and has been associated with high morbidity. Since susceptibility to bladder cancer development differs between individuals, determining the roles of MTHFR and MMP-2 gene variations associated with this cancer is important for analyzing differences in individual susceptibility. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of MTHFR and MMP-2 gene variations in the development of bladder cancer in the Thrace region of Turkey.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred seventy-nine blood samples were collected, including 98 patients with bladder cancer and 81 healthy controls. DNA extraction was carried out with blood samples. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism was applied to detect MTHFR C677T (rs 1801133), MTHFR A1298C (rs 1801131), and MMP-2 (-1306C>T) (rs 243865) gene variants.

RESULTS

For the MTHFR A1298C gene variation, CC genotype was the genetic risk factor (P=.0001), while AC genotype was the protective factor (P< .0001) in the development of bladder cancer. For the MMP-2 (-1306C>T) gene variation, TT genotype (P < .0001) and T allele (P=.0006) were genetic risk factors, while AC genotype (P=.0009) was the protective factor in the development of bladder cancer. For C677T/A1298C gene variations, CC-CC combined genotype was the genetic risk factor (P=.009), while CT-AC and CC-AC combined genotypes were potential protective biomarkers (P=.013 and P < .001, respectively).

CONCLUSION

In our study, TT genotype and T allele were determined as genetic risk factors for MMP-2 (-1306C>T) gene variation. For C677T/A1298C gene variations, CC- CC combined genotype was detected as the genetic risk factor in the development of bladder cancer.

Luteolin: A promising natural agent in management of pain in chronic conditions

Pain due to chronic conditions is a frequent and insufficiently addressed problem. Current drug options for pain management (either in cases of chronic inflammatory conditions or neuropathy) do not adequately treat pain. Moreover, they are associated with important adverse events in long term use. Luteolin is a flavonoid widely present in the plant kingdom and its sources have been assembled in a comprehensive list of this paper. Luteolin has shown in several research studies a range of pharmacological properties; anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotective, and analgesic. In this article, we summarize the effects and potential benefits from introducing luteolin as an adjuvant agent in established protocols for pain management. We review the most indicative in vivo and in vitro evidence of how luteolin can target the molecular pathways involved in pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain. The data reviewed strongly support luteolin's promising benefits in pain management and raise the need for further clinical trials that can establish its role in clinical practice.

Responsive shape-shifting nanoarchitectonics and its application in tumor diagnosis and therapy

Nanodrug delivery system has a great application in the treatment of solid tumors by virtue of EPR effect, though its success in clinics is still limited by its poor extravasation, small intratumoral accumulation, and weak tumor penetration. The shape of nanoparticles (NPs) greatly affects their circulation time, flow behavior, intratumoral amassing, cell internalization as well as tumor tissue penetration. Generally, short nanorods and 100-200 nm spherical nanocarriers possess nice circulation behaviors, nanorods and nanofibers with a large aspect ratio (AR) cumulate well at tumor sites, and tiny nanospheres/disks (< 50 nm) and short nanorods with a low AR achieve a favorable tumor tissue penetration. The AR and surface evenness of NPs also tune their cell contact, cell ingestion, and drug accumulation at tumor sites. Therefore, adopting stimulus-responsive shape-switching (namely, shape-shifting nanoarchitectonics) can not only ensure a good circulation and extravasation for NPs, but also and more importantly, promote their amassing, retention, and penetration in tumor tissues to maximize therapeutic efficacy. Here we review the recently developed shape-switching nanoarchitectonics of antitumoral NPs based on stimulus-responsiveness, demonstrate how successful they are in tumor shrinking and elimination, and provide new ideas for the optimization of anticancer nanotherapeutics.

Detection of interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis are enhanced by involvement of matrix metalloproteinases levels and clinical diagnosis

BACKGROUND

Higher detection of interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features (IPAF), and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), has significant diagnostic and therapeutic implications. Some matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have become reliable diagnostic biomarkers in IPAF and IPF in previous studies, yet relevant reliability remains to be recognized.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, 36 ILDs patients, including 31 IPAF patients (Mean ± SD, 50.20 ± 5.10 years; 16 [51.6%] females) and five IPF patients (Mean ± SD, 61.20 ± 6.73 years; one [20.0%] females) were retrospectively enrolled. Serial serum samples were collected from patients with IPAF and IPF between January 2019 and December 2020. Notably, Serum MMPs levels were measured by U-PLEX Biomarker Group 1(Human) Multiplex Assays (MSD, USA).

RESULTS

A combination of MMPs and combinatorial biomarkers was strongly associated with clinical subjects in this study (AUC, 0.597 for Stability vs. Improvement and 0.756 for Stability vs. Exacerbation). Importantly, the AUC of MMP-12 reaches 0.730 (p < 0.05, Stability AUC vs. Improvement AUC) while MMP-13 reaches 0.741 (p < 0.05, Stability AUC vs. Exacerbation AUC) showed better performance than other MMPs in two comparisons.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical risk factors and MMPs are strongly associated with either stratification of the disease of progression of IPAF or in two IPAF and IPF independent cohorts. To our knowledge, this is the first to illustrate that MMP-12 and MMP-13 may be expected to become typical promising biomarkers in Improvement - IPAF and Exacerbation - IPAF, respectively.

De novo disruptive heterozygous MMP21 variants are potential predisposing genetic risk factors in Chinese Han heterotaxy children

Background

Heterotaxy syndrome (HTX) is caused by aberrant left–right patterning early in embryonic development, which results in abnormal positioning and morphology of the thoracic and abdominal organs. Currently, genetic testing discerns the underlying genetic cause in less than 20% of sporadic HTX cases, indicating that genetic pathogenesis remains poorly understood. In this study, we aim to garner a deeper understanding of the genetic factors of this disease by documenting the effect of different matrix metalloproteinase 21 (MMP21) variants on disease occurrence and pathogenesis.

Methods

Eighty-one HTX patients with complex congenital heart defects and 89 healthy children were enrolled, and we investigated the pathogenetic variants related to patients with HTX by exome sequencing. Zebrafish splice-blocking Morpholino oligo-mediated transient suppression assays were performed to confirm the potential pathogenicity of missense variants found in these patients with HTX.

Results

Three MMP21 heterozygous non-synonymous variants (c.731G > A (p.G244E), c.829C > T (p.L277F), and c.1459A > G (p.K487E)) were identified in three unrelated Chinese Han patients with HTX and complex congenital heart defects. Sanger sequencing confirmed that all variants were de novo. Cell transfection assay showed that none of the variants affect mRNA and protein expression levels of MMP21. Knockdown expression of mmp21 by splice-blocking Morpholino oligo in zebrafish embryos revealed a heart looping disorder, and mutant human MMP21 mRNA (c.731G > A, c.1459A > G, heterozygous mRNA (wild-type&c.731G > A), as well as heterozygous mRNA (wild-type& c.1459A > G) could not effectively rescue the heart looping defects. A patient with the MMP21 p.G244E variant was identified with other potential HTX-causing missense mutations, whereas the patient with the MMP21 p.K487E variant had no genetic mutations in other causative genes related to HTX.

Conclusion

Our study highlights the role of the disruptive heterozygous MMP21 variant (p.K487E) in the etiology of HTX with complex cardiac malformations and expands the current mutation spectrum of MMP21 in HTX.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40246-022-00409-9.

Polypeptide induced perylene probe excimer formation and its application in the noncovalent ratiometric detection of matrix metalloproteinase activity

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are important biomarkers for a number of diseases. Thus, the precise determination of MMP activity is of crucial importance. Herein, we report a ratiometric fluorescence method for the sensitive and selective sensing of MMP activity. A number of positively charged MMP substrates (polypeptides) were designed and prepared. These polypeptides could induce aggregation of a negatively charged perylene diimide derivative (PC1). As a result, excimer fluorescence of PC1 was observed. Addition of the corresponding MMP resulted in cleavage of the polypeptide chain and dis-aggregation of PC1, which led to turning on of the PC1 monomer fluorescence. Based on the ratio of the monomer (545 nm, I_M) and the excimer (680 nm, I_M) fluorescence intensity changes, a ratiometric method I₅₄₅/I₆₈₀) was established to detect MMP activity. The enzymatic activity of a number of MMPs (MMP-1, 2, 3, 7, 9 and 13) could be determined with a limit of detection of 4.8, 2.2, 16, 6.0, 1.7 and 5.5 ng mL^-1, respectively. Using MMP-2 and MMP-9 as examples, flavonoid herbal extracts as potential inhibitors were studied. It was observed that mangiferin, apigenin, quercetin and isoliquiritigenin had significant inhibiting effects on the enzyme activity. And these herbal extracts also inhibited tumor cell metastasis. Moreover, the developed strategy was also employed to determine the concentration of MMP-9 in human saliva samples. Since the method relies on only noncovalent interactions between the polypeptide and PC1, no covalent labeling of fluorescence dye on the polypeptide substrate is required, and the method is thus simple, broad-spectrum inexpensive and effective. It has the potential to be developed into a clinical test kit.

Trabecular Bone Parameters, TIMP-2, MMP-8, MMP-13, VEGF Expression and Immunolocalization in Bone and Cartilage in Newborn Offspring Prenatally Exposed to Fumonisins

Fumonisins are protein serine/threonine phosphatase inhibitors and potent inhibitors of sphingosine N-acyltransferase (ceramide synthase) disrupting de novo sphingolipid biosynthesis. The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of fumonisins (FB) exposure from the 7th day of pregnancy to parturition on offspring bone development. The rats were randomly allocated to either a control group (n = 6), not treated with FBs, or to one of the two groups intoxicated with FBs (either at 60 mg FB/kg b.w. or at 90 mg FB/kg b.w. Numerous negative, offspring sex-dependent effects of maternal FB exposure were observed with regards to the histomorphometry of trabecular bone. These effects were due to FB-inducted alterations in bone metabolism, as indicated by changes in the expression of selected proteins involved in bone development: tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 2 (TIMP-2), matrix metalloproteinase 8 (MMP-8), matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP-13), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The immunolocalization of MMPs and TIMP-2 was performed in trabecular and compact bone, as well as articular and growth plate cartilages. Based on the results, it can be concluded that the exposure of pregnant dams to FB negatively affected the expression of certain proteins responsible for bone matrix degradation in newborns prenatally exposed to FB in a dose- and sex-dependent manner.

The Conditioned Medium of Lactobacillus rhamnoides GG Regulates Microglia/Macrophage Polarization and Improves Functional Recovery after Spinal Cord Injury in Rats

Lactobacillus rhamnoides, a human intestinal colonizer, can act through various pathways to induce microglia/macrophages to produce cytokines and to polarize microglia/macrophages to different phenotypes to reduce the inflammatory response. In this article, we evaluated the treatment potential of the Lactobacillus rhamnoides GG conditioned medium (LGG-CM) in rat model with SCI (acute spinal cord injury), including functional, neurophysiological, and histological outcomes and the underlying neuroprotective mechanisms. In our experiment, LGG-CM (30 mg/kg) was injected directly into the injury site in rats immediately after SCI. Measured by the BBB scale (Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan locomotor rating scale) and inclined plane test, rats in the LGG-CM-treated group showed better locomotor scores. Moreover, compared to the vehicle treatment group, LGG-CM increased the mRNA level of the M2 marker (CD206), and decreased that of the M1 marker (iNOS). Western blot assays showed that LGG-CM-treated SCI rats had a higher grayscale ratio of p65 and a lower ratio of p-IκBα/IκBα. Our study shows that local injection of LGG-CM after acute SCI can inhibit inflammatory responses and improve motor function recovery. These effects may be related with the inhibition to the NF-κB (The nuclear factor-kappa B) signal pathway which leads to M2 microglia/macrophage polarization.