Similarly, the extent of atherosclerosis of other aorta sites, including AA, TA, abdominal aorta, and brachiocephalic artery, were evaluated by H&E staining, Masson's trichrome staining, and IHC (MMP-9, CTSK, CD68, and α-SMA) (Figures 8A-N and S8A-N). This evidence concerns the gene MMP9 and atherosclerosis.