MMP9 and Nephropathy: These proteins represent a broad array of molecules, many of which have been implicated in the pathogenesis of nephritis through diverse mechanisms including: cyto/chemokines and their receptors (e.g., IL-15 and PF4), metalloproteinases and their regulators (e.g., TIMP-1 and MMP-9), growth factors (e.g., GM-CSF), markers of endothelial injury/repair (e.g., adiponectin, PAI-1, and vWF), and markers of kidney damage (e.g., KIM-1 and cystatin C).