MMP9 and cardiovascular disorder: MMP-9 like PTX3 is primarily expressed in bone marrow-derived cells in the atherosclerotic plaque, plays a role in the modulation of local inflammation and contributes to plaque destabilization.[22] High serum levels of MMP-9 have previously been linked to femoral atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.[22], [23] The robust association between PTX3 level and neutrophil count fits well to the observation that almost all neutrophiles, infiltrating the atherosclerotic plaques and present in coronary arterial thrombi, express PTX3.[24]