Prolyl oligopeptidase: a rising star on the stage of neuroinflammation research.

Inhibitors of prolyl oligopeptidase have been reported to be neuroprotective, especially in memory loss caused by lesion or disease. This enzyme has also been implicated in neurodegeneration. Although it was initially thought that prolyl oligopeptidase functioned to directly control of neuropeptide levels, emerging evidence points out in part that this peptidase modulates peptides which in turn regulate inflammatory responses. Here we review the recent literature which indicates a direct involvement of prolyl oligopeptidase in several inflammatory diseases. Neuroinflammation generates neurotoxins with a relevant role in neurodegenerative diseases, and it is within this toxin generation where prolyl oligopeptidase might have a role.