Meanwhile, cathepsin S may act like matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and release adhesion molecules such as vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) (29), because studies revealed deficiency of cathepsin S reduced the circulating adhesion molecules in high-cholesterol diet induced atherosclerosis mouse model (18). Here, CTSS is linked to atherosclerosis.