Differential expression of matrix metalloproteinases and their physiological inhibitors in acute murine skin wounds.

Metalloproteinase-mediated proteolysis plays an important role during all stages of wound repair. In acute murine wounds, murine collagenase, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, stromelysin-1, stromelysin-2 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 are strongly induced within 24 h after wounding. At the time of reepithelialization the expression of these gene transcripts has declined more or less completely. Each gene shows a unique spatial and temporal transcription pattern.