Expression and activation of matrix metalloproteinases in wounds: modulation by the tripeptide-copper complex glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu2+

Siméon A, Monier F, Emonard H, Gillery P, Birembaut P, Hornebeck W, Maquart FX · The Journal of Investigative Dermatology

MMP-9 expression persisted in treated wound tissue until day 22 where it disappeared from control wound fluid after day 18, and pro-MMP-2 and activated MMP-2 rose at days 18 and 22. Interstitial collagenase activity was unchanged. GHK-Cu shifted the timing of the remodelling phase rather than simply adding matrix.

Population

Sprague-Dawley rats with subcutaneous wound chambers

Intervention

Serial intra-chamber injection of 2 mg GHK-Cu

Comparator

Equal-volume saline

Limitations

Dermal model; zymography and immunolocalisation with no functional or mechanical outcome. Whether prolonged gelatinase activity helps or harms a repairing tissue is not tested, and in cartilage MMP-2 and MMP-9 are degradative.