MMP12 and atherosclerosis: MMPs generally have a role in the degradation of ECM protein, however, in atherosclerosis, certain MMPs (such as MMP-12) have a protective role via maintenance of homeostasis in surrounding tissue, as they have been associated with the regulation of acute inflammatory responses through proteolysis of specific chemokines, disabling their receptor-binding capabilities and thus preventing further neutrophil recruitment (Dean et al., 2008).