Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), responsible for the protein degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) (254), have also been linked to IL-1β in retinal degenerations, with wet AMD patients carrying SNPs in MMP-1 and MMP-7 genes found to have a higher serum concentration of IL-1β (239). The gene discussed is IL1B; the disease is wet macular degeneration.