Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloprotease 1 (TIMP-1) is a multifunctional protein that belongs to the TIMP family, which also includes TIMP-2, TIMP-3, and TIMP-4 . TIMPs are naturally occurring proteins that specifically inhibit matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), a group of enzymes involved in the degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) . The balance between ECM deposition and degradation is crucial for maintaining tissue homeostasis, and TIMP-1 plays a key role in this process .
Human recombinant TIMP-1 is typically expressed in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells and is purified by substrate-affinity chromatography . The protein is largely glycosylated and has a molecular weight of approximately 29 kDa . TIMP-1 is produced in low levels in most cell types, but its production can be stimulated by treatment with phorbol ester TPA in some cell types .
TIMP-1 has several biological functions, including:
TIMP-1 has been implicated in various physiological and pathological processes, including: