Infertility as a vital process in human reproduction involves many couples worldwide. Although many genetic causes of infertility are known, the genetic basis of infertility in men is largely unknown. Therefore, the identification of genetic biomarkers in this field is important and genetic polymorphisms in key genes of the spermatogenesis pathway can be valuable biomarkers in this field. Gene'...

Matrix metalloproteinases are an integral component of the organ-specific tissue microenvironment, primarily participating in regulation state integrative-buffer metabolic environment, remodeling, morphogenesis and immunogenesis, genesis pathological vascular diseases. Therefore, issues related to matrix metalloproteinase activity under altered gravity a matter high urgency for space biomedicin...

Inhibition of matrix-metalloproteinases (MMPs) by tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) has been shown in vivo to decrease metastasis and tumor-associated angiogenesis. Our laboratory is interested in understanding the role of these proteins at the pericellular microenvironment of tumor and endothelial cells. Secretion of MMPs by tumor cells enables the migration, invasion and metasta...

1996. Basement membrane and repair of injury to peripheral nerve: Defining a potential role for macrophages, matrix metalloproteinases, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1.

The extracellularly regulated kinase (ERK), one of the three types of mitogen-activated kinases, was rapidly activated after cutting porcine articular cartilage either when maintained as explants or in situ. Cutting released a soluble ERK-activating factor from the cartilage, which was purified and identified by MS as basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Experiments with neutralizing Abs to b...

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a group of endopeptidases with capacity to cleave components of extracellular matrix, such as collagen and elastin. The ability to modify the tissues is important for several aspects of normal and abnormal physiology. Approximately 20 different MMPs are identified, and they can be subdivided into different groups according to which components of the extracel...

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) are strongly implicated in menstruation. Messenger RNA for proMMP-1 and -3 was detectable in normal cycle endometrium only peri-menstrually and menstrually, although mRNA for their tissue inhibitors, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2, was present throughout the cycle. MMP-1, -3 and -9 were demonstrated immunohistochemically to be specifically associated with degraded tissue in m...

Though pituitary adenomas are benign tumors in most cases, a considerable fraction of PAs behave in a malignantlike manner and invade to the adjacent structures in sellar region, especially the cavernous sinuses. Cancer-cell invasion and metastasis remain a great challenge for physicians and surgeons in spite of emerging advances in drug therapy and surgical Treatment. matrix metalloproteinases...

The sarafotoxins and endothelins are approximately 25-residue peptides that spontaneously fold into a defined tertiary structure with specific pairing of four cysteines into two disulfide bonds. Their structures show an interesting topological similarity to the core of the metalloproteinase interaction sites of the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases. Previous work indicates that sarafotoxi...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW The potential contribution of alterations in matrix metalloproteinase activity to the development of myocardial fibrosis in hypertensive heart disease is reviewed. RECENT FINDINGS A number of experimental and clinical studies provide information on alterations in the balance between matrix metalloproteinase-1 or collagenase and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases-1...