MMP7 and type 2 diabetes mellitus: In a prospective study (n = 1181 patients with T2DM and GFR ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73m2 followed-up for 6–12 years), increased circulating levels of MMP-7 were linked with early progressive renal decline, defined as annual GFR loss of ≥ 5 mL/min/1.73 m2/year [72].