title: Matrix metalloproteinase-9 may be a potential therapeutic target in epilepsy.
abstract: Epileptogenesis is defined as the process of developing epilepsy - a disorder characterized by recurrent seizures - following an initial insult. Neuronal death, aberrant synaptic plasticity and neuroinflammation play essential roles in epileptogenesis. An effective neuroprotective therapeutic agent should counteract one or, ideally, all the above-mentioned mechanisms. However, antiepileptic drugs obtainable nowadays can only suppress seizures, without antiepileptogenic effects. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is a member of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family that remodels the extracellular matrix. Recently, cumulative evidence indicates that MMP-9, a key participant in neuronal death, aberrant synaptic plasticity and neuroinflammation, is upregulated in experimental epilepsy models. Increased MMP-9 is also implicated in clinical epilepsy studies. Thus, we hypothesize that MMP-9 may be a novel therapeutic target for epilepsy and some agents, such as S24994, atorvastatin and minocycline, may be potential antiepileptogenic drugs.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Department of Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: H Y
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Sun
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology*; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D007249:Inflammation / Q000473:pathology; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008911:Minocycline / Q000494:pharmacology; D008954:Models, Biological; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D012640:Seizures / Q000188:drug therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D011758:Pyrroles; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; D008911:Minocycline