MMP-10

MMP-10 (matrix metalloproteinase-10), also known as stromelysin-2, is a member of the matrix metalloproteinase family that participates in extracellular matrix (ECM) turnover by degrading matrix-associated substrates and contributing to tissue remodeling processes[1][2]. Within the broader MMP signaling network, MMP-10 is linked to ECM remodeling during repair, angiogenesis, and pathological tissue reorganization, thereby influencing cellular responses associated with injury and disease progression[2][3]. Mechanistically, increased MMP-10 expression has been reported in acute kidney injury (AKI), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and renal cell carcinoma, supporting a role in tissue injury responses and disease-associated remodeling programs[3]. Disease studies further demonstrate that MMP-10 contributes to pathological phenotypes, including maintenance of lung cancer stem cell functions and promotion of tumor initiation and metastatic potential[4]. In experimental pulmonary arterial hypertension models, active MMP-10 enhances pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration through increased cyclin D1 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression, linking MMP-10 to vascular remodeling mechanisms. Compared with the closely related stromelysin family member MMP-3, MMP-10 may display higher tissue abundance but lower enzymatic activity in certain tumor settings, indicating distinct functional contributions despite structural similarity[5]. For experimental applications, MMP-10 is widely investigated as a mechanistic biomarker and therapeutic target in kidney disease, cancer, and vascular remodeling models, where modulation of MMP-10 activity provides a useful framework for studying ECM-dependent disease processes[3].