Proteins of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family are involved in the breakdown of extracellular matrix in normal physiological processes, such as embryonic development, reproduction, and tissue remodeling, as well as in disease processes, such as arthritis, metastasis, and atherosclerosis. Most MMP's are secreted as inactive proproteins which are activated when cleaved by extracellular proteinases.
MMP12 was first described in murine macrophages, later in human macrophages, and more r