Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 Expression of the Injured Anterior Cruciate Ligament in the Knee and Changes in Relation to Signal Transduction Pathways / 대한정형외과연구학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study was designed to pursue the basic relationship between MMP-2 and ligament injury via ex vivo stretching of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and its changes by signal transduction pathway. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After femur-ACL-tibia complex was harvested from rats, release of MMP-2 in stretch group and non-stretch group was checked using gelatin zymography. Firstly, authors investigated whether MMP-2 was released from the ligament or not and if so, how long it was released. In addition, the complexes were divided into two groups. In group I, 5 and 12N weights were used to stretch the complex for 10, 30, and 60-minute. In group II, after the ligament complexes were stretched by 15N for 30 minutes, various signal pathway inhibitors such as pertusis toxin, SP600125, PD98059, KT5720, curcumin, and Bay11-7082 were added to their supernatants. MMP-2 activity was evaluated. RESULTS: MMP-2 was immediately released after ligament injury and its activity was increased in proportion to stretching duration and magnitude. As for the signal pathways, inhibition of JNK, ERK, AP-1, and NF-k beta pathways caused MMP-2 expression to be decreased. CONCLUSION: It is considered that the release of MMP-2 plays an important role in remodeling process after ACL injury.