Matrix-Metalloproteinases (MMPS) in Astroglial Cells

The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated as contributing factors in the pathogenesis of injury and inflammation of the central nervous system including diseases such as Alzheimer (Gottschall & Yu, 1995), Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and its animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalitis (EAE) (Gijbels et al., 1992; Norga et al., 1995; Rosenberg et al., 1996). MMP activity has been associated with degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM), activation of leukocytes, their extravasation and tissue infiltration, breakdown of the blood brain barrier (BBB) as well as nerve demyelination (Romanic & Madri, 1994). The process of regeneration and glial-scar formation also depends upon modulation of the ECM by MMPs, thus enabling glial cells to migrate to damaged areas of the brain (McKeon et al., 1995).