Lieu et al. examine MMPs during bone repair in mice, and show that there are both spatial and temporal differences in expression. They find that MMP2, which is mutated in multicentric osteolysis with arthritis in humans, is required during the remodelling phase of fracture repair, at later stages than MMP9 and MMP13. These distinct functions of different MMPs during bone repair suggest that some might be relevant therapeutic targets in inflammation and angiogenesis, whereas others, such as MMP2, could be targeted to enhance bone remodelling.
Written by editorial staff. © 2011. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.
2011
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