Inflammation increases MMP levels via PGE(2) in human vascular wall and plasma of obese women

Abstract

Background and objectives: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in several inflammatory processes including obesity-related vascular diseases and graft failure of coronary artery (CA) bypass grafts [internal mammary artery (IMA), saphenous vein (SV)]. In these inflammatory conditions, the release of prostaglandin E-2 (PGE(2)) is increased via the activity of inducible microsomal PGE synthase-1 (mPGES-1). Our aim was to investigate whether MMPs and their endogenous inhibitor (TIMPs) may be regulated by PGE(2) under inflammatory conditions in human vasculature and perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT), as well as in plasma of obese patients.