# MMP9 Modulation of Uterine Contraction and Birth Timing

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA RENO · 2024 · $4,229

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
 Matrix Metalloproteinases 2 and Metalloproteinase 9 (MMP2/9) play active roles in a variety of cellular
responses, including the regulation of uterine contraction. The underlying molecular mechanisms driving these
effects are currently unknown. The overall objective of the parent proposal is to understand the mechanisms by
which MMP9 promotes uterine contraction and to determine if specific inhibition of MMP9 promotes uterine
quiescence. The central hypothesis is that elevation of MMP9 to levels seen in preterm patients is sufficient to
increase the contractile response in human uterine tissue and drive preterm parturition. The parent project
includes experiments will be performed to determine if MMP9 inhibition can delay parturition in preterm mouse
models. This supplemental project will enhance the parent proposal by identifying genes and proteins whose
uterine expression is altered when MMP activity is systemically blocked. These data are expected to be
significant because these they will identify potential mechanistic links to explain how MMP2/9 modulate uterine
contractions. These data will provide a foundation for future experiments to determine if MMP2/9 substrates
can serve as druggable targets to promote uterine quiescence and reduce the number preterm births.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11011017
- **Project number:** 3R01HD100624-04S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA RENO
- **Principal Investigator:** Heather R Burkin
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $4,229
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2020-08-15 → 2025-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11011017

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11011017, MMP9 Modulation of Uterine Contraction and Birth Timing (3R01HD100624-04S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11011017. Licensed CC0.

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