Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) in wound healing of diabetic foot ulcer: Molecular target and structure-based drug design

Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) is one of the many zinc-dependent endopeptidases found in the body, which is also involved in delaying wound healing by degrading extracellular matrices associated with normal tissue remodelling processes. In Diabetic Foot Ulcer (DFU), this protein is highly expressed especially at the stage where wound healing is poor. Currently, MMP9 is becoming one of the interesting targets in the discovery and development of MMP inhibitors, mainly in cancer treatment. There are at least 18 MMP9 crystal structures that are available in protein data bank (PDB) which can be utilised for structure based drug design. This review will discuss the role of MMP9 in wound healing associated with DFU at molecular level, followed by the recent progress of MMP9 inhibitors that have been identified in the last two decades.