011 The effect of matrix metalloproteinases-3 on the deposition of α2AP in systemic sclerosis

Alpha2-antiplasmin ( α2AP) is the major circulating inhibitor of plasmin, which plays an important role in the regulation of intravascular fibrinolysis. We previously showed that the expression of α2AP was elevated in dermal fibroblasts obtained from patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), and α2AP is associated with the development of fibrosis in SSc. In SSc, the deposition of α2AP may play an important role in the development of fibrosis. Matrix metalloproteinases-3 (MMP-3), which is one of the extracellular matrix (ECM)-degrading enzymes is known to cause the dysfunction of α2AP by cleaving the Pro19-Leu20 peptide bond in α2AP.
Source: Journal of Investigative Dermatology - Category: Dermatology Authors: Tags: Adaptive and Auto-Immunity Source Type: research