MMP9 and atherosclerosis: In patients with atherosclerosis, mononuclear cells, lymphocytes, and monocyte subpopulation are associated with plaque progression and vulnerability [74]: association between the presence of plaque and total white blood cells and monocyte counts [75], neutrophil count correlates with the presence of microembolism, increased activation of T and B lymphocytes, and higher levels of MMP-9 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells [76].