Moreover, the overexpression of MMP-9 has been reported in various pathologic conditions characterized by excessive fibrosis, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, bronchial asthma, experimental biliary cirrhosis, and chronic pancreatitis [20-23], suggesting that elevated MMP-9 is closely linked to fibrogenic remodeling in target organs. Here, MMP9 is linked to fibrosis.