Tuberculosis is a chronic infectious diseases caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Its high morbidity and mortality have posed a serious threat to global public health. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) is a proteolytic enzyme involved in regulating extracellular matrix degradation and remodeling. MMP is highly expressed in pulmonary tuberculosis, and its expression is regulated by genes, epigenetic modifications, cellular signaling pathways, immune regulation, and cellular environment. MMP is a potential target for the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis. Therefore, this article summarizes the expression and related mechanisms of MMP in pulmonary tuberculosis, aiming to provide a reference for the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis.