Alterations in the balance between ECM MMPs and TIMPs may contribute to the profibrotic phenotype in aging and hypertension.19, 24 The 4 TIMP isoforms—TIMP1, TIMP2, TIMP3, and TIMP4—are responsible for the inhibition of > 20 MMPs, and the relationship between MMPs and TIMPs changes with age. This evidence concerns the gene TIMP1 and hypertensive disorder.