MMP9 and plasma cell myeloma: Moreover, clipping of the heparan sulfate chains of syndecan-1 by heparinase is associated with increased syndecan-1 shedding, MMP-9 and VEGF expression, and elevated angiogenesis, events that may also fuel osteolysis.(16–18) This is consistent with a reported positive correlation between MMP-9 and VEGF levels and bone lesion score in myeloma patients.(19)