Mmp7, also known as matrilysin, is a matrix metalloproteinase. Matrix metalloproteinases are involved in cancer biology, and Mmp7 specifically can degrade extracellular matrix components, playing a role in processes like cell migration, tissue remodeling, and immune response [3]. It is associated with pathways such as the MAPK(JNK)-AP1 axis [1].

In colorectal cancer, Fusobacterium nucleatum infection can upregulate Mmp7 via the MAPK(JNK)-AP1 axis, promoting metastasis-related characteristics of cancer cells, and high Mmp7 expression correlates with poor prognosis [1]. In pterygium, MMP7 promoter (A-181G and C-153T) polymorphic genotypes do not have a direct role in determining Taiwanese susceptibility [2]. For gastric cancer in Taiwanese, the GG genotype at MMP7 A-181G is a risk factor, especially among smokers [4]. In melanoma, changes in MMP7 sensitivity to mutant extracellular matrix proteins can potentially identify patients with distinct survival outcomes and cancer specimen immune activity [5]. In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the MMP7 (T>C) polymorphism (rs10502001) and its expression are correlated, with the "CC" genotype associated with increased COPD risk and higher MMP7 expression [6]. In non-small cell lung cancer, the co-location of CD14+APOE+ cells and MMP7+ tumour cells contributes to a worse immunotherapy response [7]. In colon cancer, high expression of MMP7 may be involved in carcinogenesis, invasion or recurrence, and is associated with poor prognosis [8].

In conclusion, Mmp7 is crucial in various disease processes, especially in cancers where its expression and regulation can impact metastasis and prognosis. Genetic studies on Mmp7, such as those exploring its polymorphisms in different diseases, contribute to understanding disease susceptibility and progression, potentially guiding new treatment strategies.

References:

1. Ou, Suwen, Chen, Haipeng, Wang, Hufei, Song, Yanni, Liu, Shu-Lin. 2023. Fusobacterium nucleatum upregulates MMP7 to promote metastasis-related characteristics of colorectal cancer cell via activating MAPK(JNK)-AP1 axis. In Journal of translational medicine, 21, 704. doi:10.1186/s12967-023-04527-3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37814323/

2. Hu, Pei-Shin, Wang, Yun-Chi, Liao, Cheng-Hsi, Bau, DA-Tian, Tsai, Chia-Wen. . The Association of MMP7 Genotype With Pterygium. In In vivo (Athens, Greece), 34, 51-56. doi:10.21873/invivo.11744. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31882462/

3. Polistena, Andrea, Cucina, Alessandra, Dinicola, Simona, Johnson, Louis Banka, De Toma, Giorgio. . MMP7 expression in colorectal tumours of different stages. In In vivo (Athens, Greece), 28, 105-10. doi:. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24425843/

4. Fu, Chun-Kai, Chien, Yi-Chun, Chuang, Hui-Yen, Bau, DA-Tian, Tsai, Chia-Wen. . The Association of MMP7 Promoter Polymorphisms With Gastric Cancer. In Anticancer research, 40, 695-702. doi:10.21873/anticanres.13999. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32014910/

5. Zaman, Saif, Chobrutskiy, Boris I, Patel, Jay S, Mihyu, Moody M, Blanck, George. 2018. MMP7 sensitivity of mutant ECM proteins: An indicator of melanoma survival rates and T-cell infiltration. In Clinical biochemistry, 63, 85-91. doi:10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2018.11.004. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30414845/

6. Kumar, Saurabh, Swaroop, Suchit, Sahu, Akancha, Kant, Surya, Banerjee, Monisha. 2023. Association of MMP7 T > C Gene Variant (rs10502001) and Expression in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. In DNA and cell biology, 42, 548-553. doi:10.1089/dna.2023.0150. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37527206/

7. Fan, Guangyu, Xie, Tongji, Tang, Le, Han, Xiaohong, Shi, Yuankai. . The co-location of CD14+APOE+ cells and MMP7+ tumour cells contributed to worse immunotherapy response in non-small cell lung cancer. In Clinical and translational medicine, 14, e70009. doi:10.1002/ctm2.70009. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39187937/

8. Chen, Li, Ke, Xueying. . MMP7 as a potential biomarker of colon cancer and its prognostic value by bioinformatics analysis. In Medicine, 100, e24953. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000024953. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33655961/