Consistent with that idea, several studies have shown that inhibition of MMP causes cardiac failure [24]; that targeted deletion of MMP-9 enhances left ventricular remodelling and collagen accumulation caused by overexpression of MMP-2 and MMP-13 [25]; and that an increase in MMP-1 induced by hepatocyte growth factor has a beneficial effect on post-MI heart failure via its antifibrotic action [26]. This evidence concerns the gene HGF and heart failure.