Matrixmetalloproteinasesandtheirrolesin poorwoundhealingindiabetes

The prevalence of diabetes is increasing worldwide and has been forecasted to double in the next 20 years. The major increase in morbidity and mortality of diabetes is due to the development of complications, including failure of the wound healing process. Foot ulcers occur in 25% of all patients with diabetes and failure of healing eventually leads to deep-seated infection and amputation. Impaired wound healing is therefore the pivotal event responsible for most of the morbidity (and mortality) of diabetic foot disease. Consequently, a detailed understanding of the wound healing process in diabetes and how it can be improved is of great importance. However, efforts to develop new therapies are hampered by a lack of knowledge of the molecular mechanisms responsible for the poor wound healing. Our laboratory is examining the role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in this regard. These proteolytic enzymes are important in normal wound repair and have been shown to be abnormally expressed in diabetic wounds. Our studies focus on evaluating MMPs as both markers and mediators of impaired wound healing in diabetes. Information will lead to a better understanding of poor wound healing in diabetes and ultimately more optimal therapeutic interventions.