There is a close relationship between inflammation and thrombosis: just as inflammatory processes can favor a prothrombotic state, components of the coagulation cascade are also involved in the inflammatory response. A research performed by two groups from the network of research Cardiovascular (RECAVA) sample that metalloprotease-10 (MMP-10) is a nexus core topic between inflammation and thrombosis, particularly in situations of increased thrombotic risk, such as after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and in disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). The work, published in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, has involved the team of Dr. José Antonio Páramo, at partnership with the group of Dr. José Martínez-González, of the research center Cardiovascular (CSIC-ICCC) in Barcelona. in Barcelona.

The scientists observed that circulating levels of MMP-10 are a good marker of endothelial dysfunction in pathologies in which thrombin generation is increased, as occurs after AMI or in DIC. The study describes the mechanism by which thrombin, through its receptor PAR-1, regulates the expression and activity of MMP-10 in the vascular wall.
programs of study Experimental and clinical studies indicate that thrombin, in addition to being involved in coagulation and thrombosis, exerts pro-inflammatory effects. Inflammation is the main trigger of cardiovascular events because, among other effects, it induces the production of enzymes that degrade the extracellular matrix (metalloproteases), which destabilizes atherosclerotic lesions and favors their thrombotic complication. "The interest of the study lies in describing for the first time MMP-10 as a link between thrombosis and inflammation, two processes behind DIC and the two leading causes of mortality in Western countries: myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke. Our work on MMP-10 is pioneering in the cardiovascular field, and opens the way to new therapies aimed at modulating the inflammatory/proteolytic response and reducing the risk of thrombotic complications associated with atherosclerosis," says Dr. Josune Orbe, researcher at CIMA and lead author of article.
In addition to its obvious clinical significance, the study reveals the molecular mechanisms through which thrombin exerts MMP-10-dependent vascular effects. According to Dr. Martínez-González, "in this sense, it will be of great importance financial aid to determine the participation of this metalloprotease in vascular function. It also serves as a starting point for new programs of study that will help us to better understand the potential synergies of thrombin with other mediators of the inflammatory response and atherothrombosis".

link to the publication