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Updated: Jun 12, 2026

A Rapid, Scalable Method for the Isolation, Functional Study, and Analysis of Cell-derived Extracellular Matrix
Published on: January 4, 2017
[Extracellular matrix and atherosclerosis]
Ke-Yong Wang1, Akihide Tanimoto, Yasuyuki Sasaguri
1Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu 807-8555, Japan.
Abstract:
Many kinds of extracellular matrixes (ECMs) are mainly produced by smooth muscle cells (SMC) in both normal arterial walls and atherosclerotic lesions. In particular, type I, III, IV, V, and VIII collagens and elastin are highly expressed in atherosclerotic lesions. The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) constitute multigene family enzymes and play a central role in the degradation of ECM components. The expression of MMPs is related to atherosclerotic formation. The MMPs produced by SMC and macrophages are MMP-1, 2, 3, 7, 9 and 12 in the arterial wall, and have their highest expression in atherosclerotic lesions. This review focuses on recent work on matrix metalloproteinases and extracellular matrixes in relation to atherosclerosis.
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