Besides, the results of the present study provide two novel findings: (1) tPA upregulated the expressions of proangiogenic factors only in the presence of MMP-9 under ischemic condition; (2) tPA therapy may be beneficial for patients with acute myocardial infarction and acute ischemic stroke other than its role in enhancing reperfusion through the mechanism of thrombolysis. This evidence concerns the gene MMP9 and myocardial infarction.