MMP9 and astrocytoma (excluding glioblastoma): Recent proteinase profiling studies have demonstrated the over-expression of the serine urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and its receptor (uPAR), cysteine protease cathepsin B, MMP-2, and MMP-9 in high grade astrocytomas compared with low grade astrocytomas or the normal brain.