MMP9 and invasive breast carcinoma: The overexpression of CLDN-4 was observed in patients with lymphatic metastasis subgroup which is in agreement with previous reports of BrCa patients [19, 41]. The CLDN-4-dependent up-regulation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 and increased invasiveness might be another clue responsible for lymphatic metastasis [61].