Extracellular Matrix Degradation
Regulated turnover of extracellular matrix (ECM) is an important component of tissue homeostasis. In recent years, the enzymes that participate in, and control ECM turnover have been the focus of research that touches on development, tissue remodeling, in
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William C. Parks Robert P. Mecham l
Editors
Extracellular Matrix Degradation
Editors Dr. William C. Parks University of Washington Center for Lung Biology 815 Mercer Street Seattle, WA 98109 USA [email protected]
Prof.Dr. Robert P. Mecham Washington University School of Medicine Dept. Cell Biology & Physiology 660 S. Euclid Avenue St. Louis, MO 63110 USA [email protected]
ISSN 0887-3224 e-ISSN 2191-1959 ISBN 978-3-642-16860-4 e-ISBN 978-3-642-16861-1 DOI 10.1007/978-3-642-16861-1 Springer Heidelberg Dordrecht London New York Library of Congress Control Number: 2011925995 # Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2011 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilm or in any other way, and storage in data banks. Duplication of this publication or parts thereof is permitted only under the provisions of the German Copyright Law of September 9, 1965, in its current version, and permission for use must always be obtained from Springer. Violations are liable to prosecution under the German Copyright Law. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. Cover design: deblik, Berlin Printed on acid-free paper Springer is part of Springer Science+Business Media (www.springer.com)
Preface
The extracellular matrix is complex in its composition, wide ranging in its deposition, and diverse in how it shapes cell behavior and tissue organization. Critical to matrix function is the balance between deposition and turnover of its many, varied protein components. Indeed, the spatially and temporally precise removal and remodeling of connective tissue is critical to several developmental, homeostatic, and reparative processes. However, if matrix turnover and degradation are excessive and unregulated, as occur in many inflammatory conditions, bad things can happen. Because of the marked chemical diversity of matrix proteins – inclusive of glycoproteins, proteoglycans, and insoluble hydrophobic polymers, among other components – it is not surprising that the endopeptidases implicated in matrix turnover are equally diverse, both in their makeup and function. For example, the large and physiologically important serine proteinase family, which includes leukocyte elastase, plasminogen, and its activators, among many others enzymes, mediates a variety of activities, from clot dissolution to tissue destruction. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which compose a large subfamily within the even larger metalloproteinase family, have a specialized function in turnover of some extracellular matrix proteins, but as is discussed in more than one chapter in this volume, these enzymes are als
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