Review Article

Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury following Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Critical Issue for Clinicians and Forensic Pathologists

Figure 4

The matrix metalloproteinases system. MMPs activity results from different levels of regulation: transcription, activation, and inhibition by tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). During ischemia/reperfusion, oxidative stress stimulates the activity of MMPs, like MMP-2. Several biological activities of MMPs may contribute to myocardial contractile dysfunction and cell death. MMPs can both degrade extracellular matrix (ECM) and modulate different cellular mechanisms, thus leading to contractile dysfunction and modulation of cardiac remodelling and healing.