MMPs and ADAMs/ADAMTS inhibition therapy of abdominal aortic aneurysm

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a chronic vascular degenerative disease featured by progressive dilation and remodeling of the vascular wall, which may lead to aortic rupture and high mortality. The occurrence and development of AAA involve multiple mechanisms, including extracellular matrix degradation, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells and innate immunity. Extracellular matrix degradation is considered as the most important mechanism causing AAA. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are key factors in this process, contributing greatly to the occurrence and development of AAA. But whether the zinc-dependent endopeptidases (ADAM/ADAMTS) are involved in this process is very little known. This study is a review about the role of MMPs and ADAM/ADAMT as well as the existing MMP inhibitors in abdominal aortic aneurysm, with the purpose of providing reference for the clinical treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm.