This observation may be partially explained by the fact that NASH is considered a potentially progressive disorder, as liver inflammation may prompt collagen matrix synthesis and deposition (Suzuki and Diehl, 2017), which PREP and MMP9 hydrolyze to produce PGP (chemotaxis of neutrophils) (Weathington et al., 2006; Gaggar et al., 2008). Here, PREP is linked to inflammatory response.