Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are responsible for the degradation of extracellular matrix proteins. MMPs are essential for tissue remodeling during normal processes such as embryonic development as well as pathological conditions such as arthritis and tumor metastasis. MMP3, a member of the stromelysin family, has broad specificity for proteins such as collagens, fibronectin, proteoglycans, and elastin making it an important player in extracellular matrix remodeling. These activities are especially important during tumorigenesis by enhancing epithelial to mesenchymal transition. MMPs are generally secreted as a proform and subsequently processed and cleaved into the active form. However under oxidative stress and during apoptotic signaling MMP3 can also be found in its active form inside of cells and may have important implications in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer disease and Parkinson disease (1). A number of specific MMP inhibitors are currently in development for treatment of arthritis and cancer.
The role of MMP3 in tumor metastasis makes MMP3 antibodies promising tools to monitor tumor progression or other diseases. In a study of cervical cancer progression by Hagemann et al. used MMP3 antibodies to perform immunohistochemistry on a handful of potential biomarkers (2). Similarly Zhao et al. used a panel of antibodies including the MMP3 antibody to perform quantitative measurements examining the effects of sample handling protocols on a multiplex immunoassay for rheumatoid arthritis biomarkers (3). MMP3 may also play a role in intestinal damage in inflammatory bowel disease. Monteleone et al. used MMP3 antibodies for western blotting and showed MMP3 is elevated in intestinal fibroblasts in response the interleukin 21, a cytokine involved in inflammatory bowel disease (4). Lauzier et al. used an in vitro model of arthritis to examine the role of invadopodia in the degradation of cartilage (5). Using MMP3 antibodies for immunofluorescent staining, the authors were able to confirm the role of MMP3 in matrix degradation specifically at invadopodia structures. The authors then showed blocking invadopodia formation inhibited cartilage degradation in vitro and in vivo, demonstrating a potential target for arthritis treatment.
Novus Biologicals offers MMP3 reagents for your research needs including:
PMIDs
