The present invention relates to methods of reducing, delaying, preventing and/or inhibiting the progression of a Cryptococcus infection into the central nervous system (CNS) of a subject by inhibiting the activity of a M36 fungalysin metalloprotease (e.g., MPR1) secreted by the Cryptococcus. The invention further provides methods of increasing, promoting and/or enhancing delivery of a therapeutic agent across the blood-brain-barrier, comprising systemically administering the therapeutic agent in conjunction with a M36 fungalysin metalloprotease (e.g., MPR1), or an enzymatically active fragment thereof.
