Finally, to assess a possible pathogenic role of these proteins in atherosclerosis development we studied the aortic expression of MMP-12 and CXCR4, the main receptor of SDF1in an experimental model of atherosclerosis (Apoe-/- mice) as compared with a model of delayed atherosclerosis (Apoe-/-Mmp10-/- mice). The gene discussed is CXCR4; the disease is atherosclerosis.