Fig. 1.

The MS degradome is that set of proteases, their inhibitors, and substrates that contribute to the development and progression of MS. Proteolysis plays a direct role in ECM turnover, immune cell extravasation, myelinolysis, and injury to oligodendrocytes (OLG) and axons. Limited proteolytic events also play key roles in regulating the activity and expression of cytokines, chemokines, and their receptors. Combined, these proteolytic activities promote the release of immunogenic peptides, antigen presentation, and immune cell activation. In turn, these events collectively affect the availability of proteases, their inhibitors, and substrates and, therefore, the development and progression of CNS inflammatory demyelinating disease