Dietary polyphenols and regulation of gelatinases expression and activity

The interaction of cells with the extracellular matrix (ECM) is critical for normal development and function of organisms. The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of Zn++ and Ca++ dependent endopeptidases, which are key mediators of the ECM remodelling. In particular, the gelatinases (MMP-2 and –9) are abundantly expressed in various malignant tumors, play an active role in angiogenesis, and may influence also the process of atherosclerotic lesion formation. The turnover and remodelling of ECM must be tightly regulated since uncontrolled proteolysis contributes to abnormal development and to the generation of many pathological conditions characterized by either excessive degradation or lack of degradation of ECM components. In the recent years, much consideration has been given to the role of diet in preventing degenerative diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Dietary constituents have been shown to be able to affect gelatinases activity. This review will focus on the effect of dietary polyphenolic components on gelatinases expression and activity.