J Neuroimmunol. 2011 Jul;236(1-2):81-6. Epub 2011 May 31.
Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) plays an important role in some neuroinflammatory diseases through the blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption.
Background: Recent studies conducted in arthritis, asthma, and inflammatory bowel disease suggest that chitinases are important in inflammatory processes and tissue remodeling. Objective: To investigate the role of chitinases in multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO)
Anti-aquaporin-4 antibody (NMO-IgG) is used as a diagnostic marker for neuromyelitis optica (NMO). Although the mechanism of spinal cord lesions in NMO has been investigated, that of extensive hemispheric lesions with brain edema remains unclear.