Cardiology Letters 2018, 27(6):308-313

Matrix metalloproteinases and heart failure

Husseinová M¹, Radošinská J^{1, 2}

¹ Fyziologický ústav, Lekárska fakulta, Univerzita Komenského v Bratislave

² Centra experimentálnej medicíny, Ústav pre výskum srdca, Slovenská akadémia vied, Bratislava, Slovenská republika

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been identified as enzymes responsible for degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Myocardial ECM is a dynamic medium that is fundamental for the structural and physiological homeostasis of the heart. ECM alterations may lead to both systolic or diastolic dysfunction and development of heart failure (HF). Although the causes of HF are multiple, maladaptive ECM remodeling is a typical and common outcome in the development and progression of this disease. In this review, we aimed to introduce MMPs in general and summarize the recent knowledge concerning the role of MMPs in cardiovascular diseases, focusing on HF. The members of the MMP family are divided according to their structure and substrate specificity. MMP-2 and MMP-9 are the most frequently analyzed MMPs in relation to HF syndrome. Their levels may be useful markers for the identification of patients at higher risk for HF development or the poor outcome of this condition. Moreover, MMP activities and levels can serve as indicators of efficiency of the therapy provided to HF patients, as well as for identification of patients who could profit from particular therapeutic intervention via modification of the MMP pathway.

Keywords: matrix metalloproteinases; gelatinases; heart failure; biomarkers

Published: June 1, 2018  Show citation