As a part of the human immune system, white blood cells create a number of enzymes that help fight disease. Sometimes, these enzymes damage tissues in inflammatory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer and heart disease. Now, researchers at the University of Missouri have determined that one of these enzymes, known as MMP12, does not remain outside of cells while it fights infections, but rather it can travel all the way to the center of cells. Steven Van Doren, a professor in the MU Department of Biochemistry, says understanding how this and other enzymes function is an important step to creating treatments for inflammatory diseases.
"Scientists once believed these enzymes remained on the outside of cells," Van Doren says. "Now that we know the MMP12 enzyme can bind to cells and travel all the way to the nucleus at the center of a cell, we can begin further study of how this enzyme interacts with those cells. Ultimately, increasing this understanding may lead to the creation of treatments to turn off this enzyme, and others like it, when they are damaging the body."
The enzyme MMP12 can be found in elastin, which is an elastic tissue found in the lungs and arteries that allows organs and blood vessels to resume their shape after stretching. When there is unwanted MMP12 action in the lungs and arteries of smokers, it breaks down the elastin, causing the lungs or arteries lose their shape elasticity. This leads to inflammation in those areas, which can cause diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and diseases of the arteries.
For his study, Van Doren introduced a fluorescent substance to MMP12 enzymes, which caused them to glow. Using a technique called magnetic resonance of atoms' nuclei (NMR), which is similar to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Van Doren was able to study structural details of how these enzymes interacted with cells on a sub-microscopic scale.
"We know that MMP12 enzymes play important roles in fighting bacterial and viral infections and fighting arthritis," Van Doren says. "The more we understand these enzymes, the closer we come to learning how to use these enzymes more effectively to fight diseases while preventing them from causing damage when they act inappropriately. This illustrates the importance of basic scientific research when looking to solve large, practical problems. One next step is to determine how these enzymes get through the cell. Understanding that mechanism will tell us much about how these enzymes work. "
Source: University of Missouri-Columbia
Stay prepared and protected with Infection Control Today's newsletter, delivering essential updates, best practices, and expert insights for infection preventionists.
Reducing Hidden Risks: Why Sharps Injuries Still Go Unreported
July 18th 2025Despite being a well-known occupational hazard, sharps injuries continue to occur in health care facilities and are often underreported, underestimated, and inadequately addressed. A recent interview with sharps safety advocate Amanda Heitman, BSN, RN, CNOR, a perioperative educational consultant, reveals why change is overdue and what new tools and guidance can help.
New Study Explores Oral Vancomycin to Prevent C difficile Recurrence, But Questions Remain
July 17th 2025A new clinical trial explores the use of low-dose oral vancomycin to prevent Clostridioides difficile recurrence in high-risk patients taking antibiotics. While the data suggest a possible benefit, the findings stop short of statistical significance and raise red flags about vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), underscoring the delicate balance between prevention and antimicrobial stewardship.
What Lies Beneath: Why Borescopes Are Essential for Verifying Surgical Instrument Cleanliness
July 16th 2025Despite their smooth, polished exteriors, surgical instruments often harbor dangerous contaminants deep inside their lumens. At the HSPA25 and APIC25 conferences, Cori L. Ofstead, MSPH, and her colleagues revealed why borescopes are an indispensable tool for sterile processing teams, offering the only reliable way to verify internal cleanliness and improve sterile processing effectiveness to prevent patient harm.
The Next Frontier in Infection Control: AI-Driven Operating Rooms
Published: July 15th 2025 | Updated: July 15th 2025Discover how AI-powered sensors, smart surveillance, and advanced analytics are revolutionizing infection prevention in the OR. Herman DeBoard, PhD, discusses how these technologies safeguard sterile fields, reduce SSIs, and help hospitals balance operational efficiency with patient safety.
Targeting Uncertainty: Why Pregnancy May Be the Best Time to Build Vaccine Confidence
July 15th 2025New national survey data reveal high uncertainty among pregnant individuals—especially first-time parents—about vaccinating their future children, underscoring the value of proactive engagement to strengthen infection prevention.