2010 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

The role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the remodeling of keloids : implications for mechanisms of keloid progression

Research Project

Project/Area Number	21791756
Research Category	Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
Allocation Type	Single-year Grants
Research Field	Plastic surgery
Research Institution	Toho University
Principal Investigator	IMAIZUMI Risa Toho University, 医学部, シニアレジデント (20453847)
Project Period (FY)	2009 – 2010
Keywords	ケロイド / 正常成熟瘢痕 / MMP-2 / TIMP-2 / MT1-MMP / 膠原線維束
Research Abstract	Keloid is characterized by excessive deposition of collagen, resulting from aberrant extracellular matrix (ECM) production and degradation. Previous studies have demonstrated that collagenases such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are involved in producing and degrading ECM in normal wound healing and that fibroblasts have a crucial role in the expression and activity of MMPs and TIMPs during the process of healing. The present study indicates that MMP-2 activity can be promoted in keloid fibroblasts between collagen bundles in cooperation with TIMP-2 and MT1-MMP. This could contribute to remodelling of collagen bundle regions and invasion of fibroblasts into peripheral normal regions through promoted degradation of ECM.