Fig. 3

The roles and mechanisms of MMP-8 in ischemic heart disease. MMP-8 levels were increased in MI patients. The activation of MMP-8 is mediated by ROS or a variety of proteases like cathepsin G, chymotrypsin, or MMPs (-3, -7, -10, and -14). Activated MMP-8 cleaves a variety of proteins, among which the most famous substrates are type I, II, and III collagen. MMP-8 also cleaves various other proteins, including proteoglycan, fibronectin, fibrinogen, angiotensin-I, and substance P. In addition, MMP-8 modulated cytokine signaling, mediated leukocyte cell physiology, and recruited inflammatory cells to remove necrotic cardiomyocytes. MMP-8 matrix metalloproteinases 8, MI myocardial infarction, ECM extracellular matrix, ROS reactive oxygen species