MMP9 and Airway obstruction: Mcemp1–/– mice exhibited significantly lower levels of BAL concentrations of Th2-type cytokines (IL-4 and IL-5), chemokines and growth factors [CCL6, MIP-1γ (CCL9), KC-GRO (CXCL1), M-CSF-1, IP-10 (CXCL10), MIP-1β (CCL4)], airway remodeling-related molecules (MMP-9 and TIMP-1), and inflammatory substances (CRP, RAGE, VEGF-A, and VCAM-1) for airway obstruction and chronic vascular inflammation, compared to Mcemp1+/+ mice upon OVA challenge (Fig. 6a and Supplementary Fig. 6a).