Differential expression of matrix metalloproteinases and the tissue inhibitor in human milk

P Y Cheung1, G Sawicki, S Gross

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.

Proceedings of the Western Pharmacology Society
|January 17, 2002
PubMed

There are differences in the temporal expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-4 in human milk from Day 1 to 30 postpartum in healthy mothers of term pregnancies: (i) MMP-2 activity peaked at Day 1 (colostrum) then exponentially decreased afterwards; and (ii) The expression of TIMP-4 was maximal at Day 7 and persisted thereafter. From our preliminary findings, the differential expression of MMP and the tissue inhibitor in human milk may be related to the protective action of human milk.

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