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背景
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"Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of zinc and calcium dependent endopeptidases with the combined ability to degrade many components of the extracellular matrix. MMP-8 (neutrophil collagenase) is expressed in neutrophils, where it is stored in specific granules. MMP-8 release from the neutrophils is stimulated by various factors such as interleukins 1 and 8, TNF-alpha and GM-CSF. MMP-8 is capable of cleaving types I, II and III triple-helical collagen, gelatin peptides, fibronectin, proteoglycans, aggrecan, serpins, beta -casein and peptides such as angiotensin and substance P. In addition to its function in phagocytosis,
MMP?8 has a high capacity for infiltrating connective tissue, and is implicated in the breakdown of the extracellular matrix in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Structurally, MMP-8 consists of several domains: a pro-domain that is cleaved upon activation, a catalytic domain containing the zinc-binding site, a short hinge region and a hemopexin-like domain."
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