Proteins of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family are involved in the breakdown of extracellular matrix during normal physiological processes, such as embryonic development, reproduction, and tissue remodeling, as well as disease processes such as arthritis and metastasis. Most MMPs are secreted on an inactive principle and are activated when extracellular proteases are cleaved. MMP3 can degrade fibronectin, laminin, collagen III, IV, IX, and X, as well as chondroproteoglycans.
