Trafficking of the membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase in ischemia and reperfusion : Relation to interstitial membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase activity

The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) contribute to regional remodeling after prolonged periods of ischemia and reperfusion (I/R), but specific MMP types activated during this process remain poorly understood. A novel class, the membrane-type MMPs (MT-MMPs), has been identified in the myocardium, but activity of these MMP types has not been assessed in vivo, particularly during I/R. Pigs (30 kg, n=8) were instrumented with microdialysis catheters to measure MT1-MMP activity in both ischemic and nonischemic (remote) myocardium. A validated MT1-MMP fluorogenic substrate was infused through the microdialysis system, and changes in fluorescence were reflective of MT1-MMP activity at steady state, during ischemia (90 minutes), and during reperfusion (120 minutes). At peak ischemia, MT1-MMP activity was increased by >40% in the ischemic region, with no change in the remote region, which persisted with reperfusion (P50% (P135% increase in MT1-MMP (P70% increase in MT1-MMP abundance in myocytes, and confocal microscopy revealed MT1-MMP internalization during this time period and reemergence to the membrane with reperfusion. These unique results demonstrate that a specific MMP type, MT1-MMP, is increased in abundance and activity with I/R and is likely attributed, at least in part, to changes in intracellular trafficking.