MMP2 and atherosclerosis: Thus far, genetic polymorphisms associated with premature atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease in patients with SLE have been convincingly found in the interferon regulatory factor 8 (IRF8) [11], matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) functional promoter [12], plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) promoter [13], mannose-binding lectin-2 (MBL-2) [14], stromelysin promoter [15], and C-reactive protein (CRP) genes [16].