title: The significance of matrix metalloproteinases in the immunopathogenesis and treatment of multiple sclerosis.
abstract: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS). The major pathological outcomes of the disease are the loss of blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity and the development of reactive astrogliosis and MS plaque. For the disease to occur, the non-resident cells must enter into the immune-privileged CNS through a breach in the relatively impermeable BBB. It has been demonstrated that matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play an important role in the immunopathogenesis of MS, in part through the disruption of the BBB and the recruitment of inflammatory cells into the CNS. Moreover, MMPs can also enhance the cleavage of myelin basic protein (MBP) and the demyelination process. Regarding the growing data on the roles of MMPs and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) in the pathogenesis of MS, this review discusses the role of different types of MMPs, including MMP-2, -3, -7, -9, -12 and -25, in the immunopathogenesis and treatment of MS.
authors: Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran;
authors: Abbas
authors: A
authors: Mirshafiey
authors: Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran;
authors: Babak
authors: B
authors: Asghari
authors: Cellular & Molecular Research Center, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran;
authors: Ghasem
authors: G
authors: Ghalamfarsa
authors: Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran;
authors: Farhad
authors: F
authors: Jadidi-Niaragh
authors: Imam Hassan Mojtaba Hospital, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran.
authors: Gholamreza
authors: G
authors: Azizi
keywords: Blood-Brain Barrier; Central Nervous System; Inflammation; Matrix Metalloproteinases; Multiple Sclerosis