Abstract: Previous research revealed the positive activity of matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP7) on migration and myelin regeneration of Schwa nn cells (SCs). However, understanding of the molecular changes and biological activities induced by increased amounts of MMP7 in SCs remains limited. To better understand the underlying molecular events, primary SCs were isolated from the sciatic nerve stump of new- born rats and cultured with 10 nM human MMP7 for 24 hours. The results of genetic testing were analyzed at a relatively relaxed threshold value (fold change ≥ 1.5 and P-value < 0.05). Upon MMP7 exposure, 149 genes were found to be upregulated in SCs, whereas 133 genes were downregulated. Gene Ontology analysis suggested that many differentially expressed molecules were related to cellular processes, sin- gle-organism processes, and metabolic processes. Kyoto Enrichment of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis further indicated the critical involvement of cell signaling and metabolism in MMP7-induced molecular regulation of SCs. Results of Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) also revealed that MMP7 regulates biological processes, molecular functions, cellular components, diseases and functions, biosynthesis, material metabolism, cell movement, and axon guidance. The outcomes of further analysis will deepen our comprehension of MMP7-in- duced biological changes in SCs. This study was approved by the Laboratory Animal Ethics Committee of Nantong University, China (approval No. 20190225-004) on February 27, 2019.

Key words: bioinformatic analysis, ingenuity pathway analysis, matrix metalloproteinase 7, peripheral nerve regeneration, RNA sequencing, Schwann cells, sciatic nerve injury