Since excessive tissue remodelling and increased matrix metalloproteinase activity have been demonstrated during atherosclerotic lesion progression (including plaque disruption), MMPs represent a potential target for therapeutic intervention aimed at modification of vascular pathology by restoring the physiological balance between MMPs and TIMPs. The pathological effects of MMPs and TIMPs in cardiovascular diseases involve vascular remodelling, atherosclerotic plaque instability and left ventricular remodelling after myocardial infarction. Alteration in the regulation of MMP activity is implicated in diseases such as cancer, fibrosis, arthritis and atherosclerosis. Under normal physiological conditions, the activities of MMPs are precisely regulated at the level of transcription, of activation of the pro-MMP precursor zymogens and of inhibition by endogenous inhibitors (tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases TIMPs). Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), also called matrixins, are proteinases that participate in extracellular matrix remodelling and degradation.

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