The Human TIMP-1 Kit provides assay-specific components for the quantitative determination of endogenous tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) in human serum, plasma, and cell supernatant. TIMP-1 is a glycoprotein that regulates the activation and inhibition of the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). The N-terminal site of TIMP-1 forms a non-covalent complex with the active site of the MMPs to inhibit active MMP-mediated proteolysis. TIMP-1 is widely present in many tissues and cell types. Overexpression of TIMP-1 correlates with aggressive pathogenesis of a variety of tumors. It has also been shown that total TIMP-1 plasma levels can be related to cardiovascular risk factors influencing cardiovascular remodeling via extracellular matrix degradation.