Matrix metalloproteinases and airway remodeling of bronchial asthma

Airway inflammation and remodeling are the main features of bronchial asthma(asthma).Extracellular matrix(ECM) degradation and sediment imbalance are the important reason of respiratory abnormal construction of airway wall,and matrix metalloproteinases(MMP) is the main rate-limiting enzyme for the regulation of ECM metabolism. Each MMP and their various inhibitors can not only interact mutually,but also act on cytokines and other inflammatory factors to increase or decrease their biological effects. Airway remodeling is a process of MMP deposition in the airway walls. Therefore,the study in depth of MMP and their inhibitors are of great significance to further clarify the mechanism of asthma inflammation and a irway remodeling. This review focuses on the biologic characteristics of these enzymes and the role ofMMP and their inhibitors in airway remodeling of asthma. Key words: Matrix metailoproteinases; Asthma; Airway remodeling