MMP9 and Sepsis: During the early stage of sepsis, lack of ALKBH5 significantly down-regulated the genes involved in promotion of neutrophil migration, such as NLR family pyrin domain containing 12 (Nlrp12) and matrix metallopeptidase 9 (Mmp9), in neutrophils; Conversely, ALKBH5 deletion increased mRNA expression of some inhibitory molecules for neutrophil migration such as tenascin C (Tnc) and Ptx3 (Fig. 4e).