Myocardial Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 Protein Expression in Ischemic Heart Failure

Matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3), in conjunction with other MMPs, plays a key role in myocardial remodeling by breaking down the extracellular matrix of the heart and the development of heart failure (HF). However, the existing data on MMP3 protein expression in human myocardium remains insufficient. The objective of the present study was to determine the expression of MMP3 protein in left ventricular myocardial cells at varying stages of ischemic HF. To this end, a quantitative and semi-quantitative immunohistochemical analysis was performed on 113 samples of left ventricular myocardium. A non-selective digital myocardial image analysis revealed that the stage A HF group exhibited higher MMP3 protein expression compared to the control group (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Subsequent increases in immunostaining intensity of MMP3 were observed in the stage B HF group (<i>p</i> < 0.001). In the stage C/D HF group, MMP3 expression reached its highest level (<i>p</i> < 0.001). The intensity of immunostaining exhibited comparable tendencies in both cardiomyocytes and non-cardiomyocytes. Increased levels of MMP3 immunostaining in both types of cells were associated with increased left ventricular mass. Subjects who carried the 5A allele and patients with the 5A homozygous genotype exhibited a higher propensity for increased immunostaining levels in both cardiomyocytes and non-cardiomyocytes when compared to those with the 6A/6A and 5A/6A genotype. These changes in MMP3 protein expression were associated with left ventricular myocardial remodeling in the progression of ischemic HF.