Endopeptidase that degrades various components of the extracellular matrix, such as fibrin. May be involved in the activation of membrane-bound precursors of growth factors or inflammatory mediators, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha. May also be involved in tumoral process. Cleaves pro-TNF at the '74-Ala-|-Gln-75' site. Not obvious if able to proteolytically activate progelatinase A. Does not hydrolyze collagen types I, II, III, IV and V, gelatin, fibronectin, laminin, decorin nor alpha1-antitrypsin. This is the function of MMP17 (matrix metallopeptidase 17, ENSG00000198598).