Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 in Epilepsy: The Role of Neuroinflammation in Seizure Development

Mediators Inflamm. 2016:2016:7369020. doi: 10.1155/2016/7369020. Epub 2016 Dec 26.

Abstract

Matrix metalloproteinase 9 is a proteolytic enzyme which is recently one of the more often studied biomarkers. Its possible use as a biomarker of neuronal damage in stroke, heart diseases, tumors, multiple sclerosis, and epilepsy is being widely indicated. In epilepsy, MMP-9 is suggested to play a role in epileptic focus formation and in the stimulation of seizures. The increase of MMP-9 activity in the epileptic focus was observed both in animal models and in clinical studies. MMP-9 contributes to formation of epileptic focus, for example, by remodeling of synapses. Its proteolytic action on the elements of blood-brain barrier and activation of chemotactic processes facilitates accumulation of inflammatory cells and induces seizures. Also modification of glutamatergic transmission by MMP-9 is associated with seizures. In this review we will try to recapitulate the results of previous studies about MMP-9 in terms of its association with epilepsy. We will discuss the mechanisms of its actions and present the results revealed in animal models and clinical studies. We will also provide a comparison of the results of various studies on MMP-9 levels in the context of its possible use as a biomarker of the activity of epilepsy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / metabolism
  • Brain / physiopathology
  • Cell Death
  • Cell Survival
  • Drug Resistance
  • Epilepsy / metabolism*
  • Extracellular Matrix / metabolism
  • Glutamine / metabolism
  • Hippocampus
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / metabolism*
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Neuronal Plasticity
  • Neurons / metabolism

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Glutamine
  • MMP9 protein, human
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9
  • Mmp9 protein, mouse