Secretome mass spectrometry approach uncovers blood-brain barrier mystery

Researchers have identified novel gelatinase substrates involved in astroglial barrier function. In neuroinflammation, immune cells such as leukocytes cross the blood-brain barrier. One key to this ability is the gelatinases matrix metalloproteinase MMP-2 and MMP-9. Until now, the substrates of the enzymes involved in the process were unknown.