Role of metalloproteinases in platelet function

Platelets contain and release matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), their inhibitors (TIMPs) and disintegrin metalloproteinases (ADAMs) including MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9, MT1-MMP (MMP-14), ADAM-10, ADAM-17, ADAMTS-13, TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and TIMP-4. These proteins exert several effects regulating platelet functions such as agonist-stimulated platelet adhesion and aggregation, tumour cell-induced platelet aggregation and platelet-leukocyte aggregation. In this review, mechanisms of MMPs, TIMPs and ADAMs on platelets are discussed.