TIMP3 checks inflammation.

Mice deficient in the metalloprotease inhibitor TIMP3, which inhibits the tumor-necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha)-converting enzyme (TACE, also called ADAM17), have elevated levels of TNF and severe inflammation in the liver. This result confirms the physiological importance of the soluble form of TNF and identifies TIMP3 as a crucial regulator of this inflammatory cytokine.