Metaloproteasas en aterosclerosis: implicaciones fisiopatológicas y terapéuticas

Experimental and clinical evidence suggests that MMPs are important in vascular remodeling and fibrous plaque breakdown which complicate the evolution of patients with atherosclerosis by favoring thrombosis and aneurysm formation. A different MMP expression pattern depending on the type of atherosclerotic lesion and vascular bed involved has been observed in human arteries. Similarly, an increase in MMPs has been found in the bloodstream of patients with coronary syndromes. Experimental studies indicate that MMP inhibition may be important in atheromatous plaque stabilization and constitute new therapeutic targets in atherosclerosis management.