Turnover balance of extracellular matrix
(ECM) is a prerequisite for the structural and functional
homeostasis of bone marrow (BM) microenvironment.
The role of ECM in physiologic hematopoiesis and its
pathologic change in hematopoietic malignancies are
very important and under extensive investigation.
Accumulating evidence suggests that matrix
metalloproteinases (MMPs), a family of zinc-dependent
proteinases, take an active part in the physiological and
pathological hematopoiesis through remodeling the
ECM in BM hematopoietic microenvironment. In this
review, we will focus on the roles of MMPs in
physiological hematopoiesis, hematopoietic stem cells
mobilization/transplantation, and hematological
malignancies. Furthermore, the preclinical studies on the
role of synthetic MMP inhibitors in the treatment of
hematological malignancies will be discussed.