Therapeutic potential of matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors in atherosclerosis.

The activity of matrix-degrading metalloproteinases (MMPs) is essential for many of the processes involved in atherosclerotic plaque formation, for example, infiltration of inflammatory cells, smooth muscle cell migration and proliferation and angiogenesis. Furthermore, matrix degradation by MMPs may cause the plaque instability and rupture that leads to the clinical symptoms of atherosclerosis; unstable angina, myocardial infarction and stroke. Together, the family of MMPs can degrade all of the components of the blood vessel extracellular matrix and their activity therefore, is tightly regulated in normal blood vessels. The increased MMP activity during atherosclerotic plaque development and instability must therefore be caused by increased cytokine and growth factor-stimulated gene transcription, elevated zymogen activation and an imbalance in the MMP:TIMP ratio. It is therefore conceivable that inhibition of MMPs or re-establishing the MMP:TIMP balance may be useful in treating the symptoms of atherosclerosis. Recent studies using synthetic MMP inhibitors and gene therapy have highlighted the potential of such an approach.