MMP9 and Sepsis: Although similar TNF-α levels were found in both groups, the augmented IL-10 observed in nonsurvivors could be responsible for reduced MMP-9 and increased TIMP-1 found in nonsurviving sepsis patients, because this anti-inflammatory cytokine has been shown to induce TIMP-1 and reduce MMP-9 expression in endothelium/monocyte cocultures [25].