Regulation of connective tissue turnover by cell-matrix interactions.

Connective tissue is normally in a highly controlled balance between degradation of extracellular matrix proteins and synthesis of new matrix compounds. Three major families of proteases, named according to their active center, are involved in this process: serine-, cysteine- and metalloproteinases. These proteases play an important role in normal and disturbed wound healing as well as in tumor invasion and metastasis.