Matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in the foreign body reaction on biomaterials

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) can degrade structural components within the extracellular matrix and at the cellular surface producing changes in cellular behavior (i.e., adhesion and migration) and subsequent pathological responses (i.e., the foreign body reaction and wound healing). We continue to study the foreign body reaction that occurs following biomaterial implantation by investigating secretory responses of biomaterial‐adherent macrophages and foreign body giant cells (FBGCs) as directed by material surface chemistry and further this research by determining whether secreted MMPs play a role in macrophage adhesion and fusion. We have identified numerous MMPs and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) in in vitro cell‐culture supernatants using antibody arrays and quantified select MMP/TIMPs with ELISAs. MMP‐9 concentrations were significantly greater than both TIMP‐1 and TIMP‐2 on all materials. The ratios of MMP‐9/TIMP‐1 and MMP‐9/TIMP‐2 increased with time because of an increase in MMP‐9 concentrations over time, while the TIMP concentrations remained constant. Total MMP‐9 concentrations in the supernatants were comparable on all materials at each timepoint, while TIMP‐1 and TIMP‐2 concentrations tended to be greater on hydrophilic/anionic surfaces. Analysis of the MMP/TIMP quantities produced per cell revealed that the hydrophilic/neutral surfaces, which inhibited macrophage adhesion, activated the adherent macrophages/FBGCs to produce a greater quantity of MMP‐9, TIMP‐1, and TIMP‐2 per cell. Pharmacological inhibition of MMP‐1,‐8,‐13, and ‐18 reduced macrophage fusion without affecting adhesion, while inhibitors of MMP‐2,‐3,‐9, and ‐12 did not affect adhesion or fusion. These findings demonstrate that material surface chemistry does modulate macrophage/FBGC‐derived MMP/TIMP secretion and implicates MMP involvement in macrophage fusion. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2008