The role of microbial elements of periodontal disease or other oral cavity infections as risk factors/indicators in other systemic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, is well-documented.37-39 For instance, the role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), particularly MMP-7 and, to a lesser extent, MMP-3, in the breakdown of fetuin, which is an anti-inflammatory protein, has been addressed. The gene discussed is MMP7; the disease is periodontal disorder.