MMP-8 Is the Predominant Collagenase in Healing Wounds and Nonhealing Ulcers

The initial cleavage of collagen by collagenase represents the rate-limiting step in the degradation of this central extracellular matrix protein. Chronic nonhealing ulcers, especially pressure ulcers, typically contain elevated levels of collagenolytic activity. However, there have been no detailed attempts to identify the source of these collagenases and their activity either in normal healing wounds or in chronic nonhealing ulcers.Levels of...