This was found to be the result of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9)-mediated shedding of CD73 from the cell membrane of RPE after exposure to inflammatory factors in vitro, leading to impaired immune suppression, increased concentrations of eATP, and accelerated local inflammation in the AMD environment (Zhang et al., 2018). The gene discussed is MMP9; the disease is age-related macular degeneration.