The Role of Matrix Metalloproteinases in Ocular Pathologies

A special issue of Biology (ISSN 2079-7737). This special issue belongs to the section "Medical Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2023) | Viewed by 1779

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Ikerbasque, Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Experimental Ophthalmo-Biology Group, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain
Interests: biomarker; tear film; hydrogel; ocular surface; dry eye; glaucoma

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Guest Editor
Department of Ophthalmology, Coimbra University, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
Interests: ocular pathologies; nanomedicine; innovative strategies; monitoring, diagnosis, treatment
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) are a family of more than twenty Zn2+-dependent endopeptidases that share the same structural pattern. Their combined activity is capable of degrading almost all the components of the extracellular matrix (ECM), which points to their essential role in physiological processes that require matrix remodelling, such as embryonic development, the endometrial cycle, tissue repair or angiogenesis.

Similarly, MMPs are also involved in pathological processes in which excessive degradation of the matrix occurs, such as arthritis, cancer, cardiovascular and neurological diseases. The MMPs known to date can be divided into different subgroups based on their structure and specific substrates. These subgroups include collagenases, stromelysins, matrilysins, gelatinases, membrane metalloproteinases (MT-MMPs) and other MMPs that do not fit into the above groups.

I am pleased to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue of Biology entitled: “The Role of Matrix Metalloproteinases in Ocular Pathologies”. Biology publishes reviews, research papers, and communications in all areas of biology and at the interface of related disciplines.

This Special Issue summarizes current knowledge regarding these proteins, their participation in physiological and pathophysiological roles, their involvement in activation and inhibition, and their interactions with other proteins.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome.

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Arantxa Acera
Dr. Elisa Julião Campos
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • biomarkers
  • MMPs
  • extracellular matrix
  • dry eye
  • TIMPs
  • glaucoma
  • ocular surface
  • trabecular meshwork

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

17 pages, 1510 KiB  
Review
Matrix Metalloproteinases and the Pathogenesis of Recurrent Corneal Erosions and Epithelial Basement Membrane Dystrophy
by Katarzyna Jadczyk-Sorek, Wojciech Garczorz, Beata Bubała-Stachowicz, Tomasz Francuz and Ewa Mrukwa-Kominek
Biology 2023, 12(9), 1263; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12091263 - 21 Sep 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1467
Abstract
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a group of proteolytic enzymes which are members of the zinc endopeptidase family. They have the ability to degrade extracellular matrix elements, allowing for the release of binding molecules and cell migration. Although metalloproteinases regulate numerous physiological processes within [...] Read more.
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a group of proteolytic enzymes which are members of the zinc endopeptidase family. They have the ability to degrade extracellular matrix elements, allowing for the release of binding molecules and cell migration. Although metalloproteinases regulate numerous physiological processes within the cornea, overexpression of metalloproteinase genes and an imbalance between the levels of metalloproteinases and their inhibitors can contribute to the inhibition of repair processes, the development of inflammation and excessive cellular proliferation. The involvement of MMPs in the pathogenesis of dystrophic corneal diseases needs clarification. Our analyses focus on the involvement of individual metalloproteinases in the pathogenesis of recurrent corneal erosions and highlight their impact on the development of corneal epithelial basement membrane dystrophy (EBMD). We hypothesize that abnormalities observed in patients with EBMD may result from the accumulation and activation of metalloproteinases in the basal layers of the corneal epithelium, leading to basement membrane degradation. A barrier formed from degradation materials inhibits the normal migration of epithelial cells to the superficial layers, which contributes to the development of the aforementioned lesions. This hypothesis seems to be lent support by the elevated concentrations of metalloproteinases in the corneal epithelium of these patients found in our previous studies on the relationships between MMPs and recurrent corneal erosions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Matrix Metalloproteinases in Ocular Pathologies)
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