Endopeptidase that degrades various components of the extracellular matrix such as collagen. Activates progelatinase A. Essential for pericellular collagenolysis and modeling of skeletal and extraskeletal connective tissues during development. May be involved in actin cytoskeleton reorganization by cleaving PTK7. Acts as a positive regulator of cell growth and migration via activation of MMP15. Involved in the formation of the fibrovascular tissues in association with pro-MMP2 . Cleaves ADGRB1 to release vasculostatin-40 which inhibits angiogenesis.