Description
Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases 1, also known as TIMP1 is a widely expressed, secreted protein that functions primarily to inhibit members of a large family of metalloproteinases (MPs). Because of the ability of TIMP-1 to inhibit MPs, it functions in many of the same pathophysiological processes as these enzymes, e.g. wound healing, ovulation, angiogenesis, and cancer cell metastasis. TIMP-1 can also stimulate proliferation and cellular anabolic processes.1 TIMP-1 is a novel negative regulator of HGF activity during liver regeneration.2 Overexpression of TIMP-1 could promote renal interstitial fibrosis through the inflammatory pathway, which might be partly induced by upregulating ICAM-1.3