The function of metalloproteinases in pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a debilitating and symptomatic disorder of the gastrointestinal tract, featuring dysregulated inflammation, intestinal injury, and barrier dysfunction. IBD is also a risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC), which remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortalities worldwide. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a diverse family of proteases that play critical roles in both intestinal homeostasis and disease pathogenesis. Produced by epithelial, stromal, and immune cells, MMPs can regulate stem cell function, immune cell recruitment, microbial composition, barrier integrity, angiogenesis, and cell proliferation through extracellular matrix remodeling, cytokine activation, or direct interactions with target cells, thereby impacting the progression of both IBD and CRC. In this review we discuss the roles of MMPs in the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis and their contributions to imbalanced immune responses, epithelial integrity, and wound healing in IBD. Additionally, we highlight their contribution to epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, angiogenesis, and metastasis in CRC. Finally, we review the potential utilization of MMPs as biomarkers for IBD/CRC diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment response. MMPs remain central to both IBD and CRC biology and present both challenges and opportunities for therapeutic intervention and disease monitoring.