Adenoviral mediated transfer of TIMP-3 partially prevents glutamate-induced cell death in primary cultured cortical neurons of the rat.

Metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are associated with tissue reorganization after injury. The up-regulation of TIMP-3 has recently been found in ischemic brain although its functional implications are unclear. In this study we show that overexpression of TIMP-3 by adenovirus-mediated gene transfer partially protects neurons against excitotoxic death induced by glutamate in culture. The partial neuroprotection afforded by TIMP-3 has implications for our understanding of the physiological role of TIMP-3 in the normal and damaged central nervous system.