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The paradox of matrix metalloproteinases in infectious disease

P T G Elkington1, C M O'Kane, J S Friedland

  • 1Department of Infectious Diseases, Hammersmith Campus, Imperial College, London, UK.

Clinical and Experimental Immunology
|September 24, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are crucial for immunity but can cause severe pathology when overactive during infections like HIV and tuberculosis. Targeting excess MMP activity offers potential therapeutic benefits for infected patients.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Enzymology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are enzymes vital for normal immune responses to infection.
  • Their functions include immune cell recruitment, cytokine processing, and tissue remodeling.
  • However, excessive MMP activity can lead to immunopathology, host damage, and pathogen persistence.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the normal roles of MMPs in immunity.
  • To discuss viral and bacterial infections linked to excess MMP activity and pathology.
  • To consider therapeutic strategies targeting MMPs in infectious diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of MMP functions in immunity.
  • Analysis of specific viral (HIV, HTLV-1, Hepatitis B) and bacterial (endotoxin shock, H. pylori, M. tuberculosis) infections.
  • Examination of pathological mechanisms involving MMPs and bacterial enzymes.

Main Results:

  • MMPs are essential for immune functions like leucocyte recruitment and cytokine processing.
  • Excessive MMP activity contributes to pathology in HIV, HTLV-1, Hepatitis B, endotoxin shock, H. pylori, and M. tuberculosis infections.
  • Bacterial enzymes can further activate host pro-MMPs, exacerbating tissue damage.

Conclusions:

  • MMPs play a dual role in infection, being essential for immunity but also contributing to pathology when dysregulated.
  • Understanding MMP involvement in specific infections is key to developing targeted therapies.
  • Therapeutic targeting of MMPs presents a promising avenue for managing infectious disease complications.

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