Editorial: matrix metalloproteinases: drug targets in cardiovascular diseases.

摘要

Cardiovascular diseases are of major relevance for the society. In the last few decades, growing evidence has accumulated to clarify key mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases, and it is now clear that unbalanced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity is implicated in the pathogenesis of many cardiovascular diseases. MMPs are endopepti-dases widely known to degrade proteins of the extracellular matrix. However, they may degrade a variety of other substrates including intracellular targets and pharmacological receptors. In this issue of Current Drug Targets, the role of MMPs and the protective or therapeutic effects of MMP inhibitors against diseases affecting the cardiovascular system are reviewed. While commonly used tetracyclines (doxycycline and minocycline) are known MMP inhibitors, other drugs are now being developed to inhibit MMPs. This issue includes review articles addressing the clinical and experimental evidence supporting a role for MMPs in different disease conditions such as hypertension, preeclampsia, acute myocardial infarction, acute pulmonary embolism, and varicous vein formation.