Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Matrix metalloproteinase-2 linked to brain disease in dogs
By Melo, Guilherme D et al.·Published in Veterinary immunology and immunopathology·2012·College of Veterinary Medicine, Brazil·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Canine cerebral leishmaniasis: potential role of matrix metalloproteinase-2 in the development of neurological disease.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with leishmaniasis (a disease caused by parasites) showed neurological symptoms, such as changes in behavior or coordination issues. Researchers found high levels of a protein called MMP-2 in the cerebrospinal fluid of these dogs, which may indicate damage to the blood-brain barrier, allowing harmful substances to enter the brain. This suggests that MMP-2 could play a role in worsening the dog's condition. While the study didn't provide specific treatments, understanding these mechanisms could help veterinarians develop better care strategies for affected dogs in the future.
People also search for: dog leishmaniasis symptoms · dog neurological problems treatment · MMP-2 in dogs
Abstract
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a group of calcium- and zinc-dependent endopeptidases that are involved in maintaining the extracellular matrix. MMP-2 and MMP-9 are thought to be related to the disruption of the blood-brain-barrier (BBB) by their ability to cleave type IV collagen, the main component of the basal membrane. To establish the presence of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the pathogenesis of canine cerebral leishmaniasis, we examined the levels of these metalloproteinases in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum of dogs with visceral leishmaniasis and neurological symptoms (n=16) and in the CSF and serum of uninfected healthy dogs (n=10) using zymography. In the CSF of dogs with cerebral leishmaniasis there was a massive presence of active MMP-2, whereas only the levels of both proMMP-2 and proMMP-9 were elevated in the serum. Although the detected MMP activity in the CSF might merely be related to CNS inflammation, these enzymes may also play a collaborative role in the disease progression. Both MMP-2 and MMP-9 are known to target critical constituents of the BBB, and once activated, they may promote cerebral barrier breakdown, allowing the entrance of inflammatory cells and proteins within the nervous system milieu.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22673195/