MMP9 and Hypertension: In pathological conditions, including hereditary cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, atherosclerosis and other acquired vascular diseases, the expression of contractile proteins (CNN1, SM22, α-SMA, etc.)will decrease, while the expression of synthetic proteins (OPN, MMP-2, MMP-9, etc.)will increase due to genetic defects, abnormal biomechanical environment or inflammation.