MMPs in the central nervous system: where the good guys go bad.
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are expressed in the developing, healthy adult and diseased CNS. We emphasize the regulation of neurogenesis and oligodendrogenesis by MMPs during CNS development, and highlight physiological roles of MMPs in the healthy adult CNS, such as in synaptic plasticity, learning and memory. Nonetheless, MMPs as "the good guys" go bad in neurological conditions, likely aided by the sudden and massive upregulation of several MMP members. We stress the necessity of drawing a fine balance in the treatment of neurological diseases, and we suggest that MMP inhibitors do have therapeutic potential early after CNS injury.
Agrawal
Smriti M
SM
Hotchkiss Brain Institute and the Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Lau
Lorraine
L
Yong
V Wee
VW
D000818:Animals; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000196:embryology / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000209:etiology*; D018792:Encephalitis, Viral / Q000201:enzymology / Q000209:etiology; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications; D015497:HIV-1; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans; D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000209:etiology; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000201:enzymology; D013569:Synapses / Q000201:enzymology
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases