P J Courtoy

BACKGROUND: Menstruation is associated with a striking increase in matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity. However, it is still unknown whether the level of MMP activity correlates with the amount of menstrual bleeding. METHODS: We used h…

Matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7, matrilysin- 1) modulates crucial biological events by processing many epithelial cell surface-associated effectors. We addressed MMP-7 interaction with human epithelial cells and its resulting activity. In…

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the regulation of perimenstrual MMP-1 expression in human endometrium. DESIGN: In vitro study utilizing epithelial-stromal co-cultures. SETTING: Cell Biology Unit, International Institute of Cellular and Molecula…

The endometrium is the only human tissue to undergo cyclic breakdown and regeneration. This physiological alternation renders it an advantageous system for studying tissue remodelling. Our previous observations indicate that menstrual endom…

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether interstitial collagenase (matrix metalloproteinase-1), known to play a pivotal role in the initiation of menstruation, contributes to the pathogenesis of endometriosis. DESIGN: Serial sections of peritoneal …

Recent studies suggest that interstitial collagenase (MMP-1) is an essential enzyme in the early events leading to menstruation. This study analyses its cellular origin, regulation and relation to extracellular matrix breakdown in the human…

Collagenases are the only mammalian enzymes able to cleave, at neutral pH, the triple helical domain of fibrillar collagens, major constituents of the extracellular matrix of the endometrium. Interstitial collagenase is expressed, secreted …

Human endometrial tissue, sampled at different periods of the reproductive cycle, expressed interstitial collagenase mRNA, protein and activity only just before and during the menstrual period. This clear-cut correlation and the inhibition …