The Role of Metalloproteinases in the Development of Ischemia-Induced Pathologies of the Blood–Brain Barrier

The blood–brain barrier (BBB) maintains brain homeostasisby regulating the transport of nutrients and macromolecules fromthe bloodstream. Its integrity is disrupted in a number of pathologies,such as ischemic stroke, neurodegenerative diseases, or inflammation,leading to loss of control over transport processes from the bloodstreamto the brain, which causes hemorrhage, edema, and tissue death.BBB permeability is largely regulated by matrix metalloproteinases,a family of enzymes responsible for blood vessel remodeling, angiogenesis,and a number of other physiological and pathological processes.This review presents data on the structure of BBB and its pathologicalalterations caused by metalloproteinases, as well as the mechanismsregulating metalloproteinase activity and difficulties associatedwith studying these processes.