A critical role for the membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase in collagen phagocytosis.

ABSTRACT: Degradation of collagen is important for the physiological remodeling of connective tissues during growth and development as well as in wound healing, inflammatory diseases, and cancer cell invasion. In remodeling adult tissues, degradation of collagen occurs primarily through a phagocytic pathway. However, although various steps in the phagocytic pathway have been characterized, the enzyme required to initially fragment collagen fibrils for subsequent phagocytosis has not been identified. We have used laser confocal microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and biochemical assays to show that human fibroblasts initiate degradation of collagen through the collagenase activity of the membrane-bound metalloproteinase MT1-MMP. Degradation of natural and reconstituted collagen substrates c

SUBMITTER: Lee H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1635392 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature