Journal List > J Korean Orthop Assoc > v.41(4) > 1012574

Woo, Song, Kwon, Lee, and Kim: Matrix Metalloproteinase(MMP)-2 Expression Related to Stretch Injury of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament in the Knee

Abstract

Purpose

Tissue remodeling is essential for the natural healing of damaged tissue. The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) that degrade the extracellular matrix to play a central role in this process. This study was designed to examine the basic relationship between MMP-2 and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

Materials and Methods

After the femur-ACL-tibia complex was harvested from rats, the continuous release of MMP-2 in the stretch group was evaluated. The complexes were divided into three groups. To stretch the complexes, in group I, 5 and 12 N weights were used for 10, 30, and 60 minutes. In group II, 5 and 15 N weights were used for 5, 10, 30, 60, and 120 minutes. And in group III, 5, 8, 10, 12, and 15 N weights were used for 30 and 60 minutes. MMP-2 activity was evaluated using 0.05% gelatin zymography.

Results

MMP-2 was expressed and the signal intensity was increased according to the stretch duration and magnitude. In the tissue analysis, active MMP-2 was markedly present and the expression was increased in response to the stretch in the supernatant samples.

Conclusion

MMP-2 was released immediately after ligament injury and its activity was increased in proportion to the stretch duration and magnitude. It is believed that MMP-2 expression plays an important role in the remodeling process after an ACL injury.

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