Our results are in line with previous findings demonstrating that MMP12 transcript levels are significantly higher in ruptured carotid atherosclerotic plaques compared to lesions without cap disruption.[19] In addition, MMP12 mRNA and protein levels markedly increase as lesions appeared and progressed in human aortic atherosclerosis.[20] In a previous study of ours, we demonstrated that the proteolytic activity of MMP12 occurs within aorta and blood samples from patients with aortic dissection.[13]. This evidence concerns the gene MMP12 and aortic atherosclerosis.