In addition, the membrane-type MMP (MT1-MMP/MMP14), which cleaves several ECM proteins, has been highlighted to be of importance in the heart, as a reduction in MT1-MMP improves survival and heart function post myocardial infarction in mice, whilst overexpression lowers survival and function (Zavadzkas et al., 2011). This evidence concerns the gene MMP14 and myocardial infarction.