Therefore, the clinical significance of MMPs, in particular MMP-2 and MMP-9, has been revealed in many pathological conditions such as neoplasms, autoimmune diseases, and chronic inflammation.23, 24 Increased production of MMP-2 and MMP-9 appears to be a useful marker of several autoimmune disorders and neoplasms.25 This evidence concerns the gene MMP9 and autoimmune disease.