Then, we showed that inhaled CuONPs induced vascular inflammation characterized by the upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) in vascular intima and media, and the inhibition autophagy through small molecule inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3MA) exacerbated CuONPs-induced inflammatory response (Fig. 7F). The gene discussed is MMP2; the disease is inflammation.