MMP9 and atrial fibrillation: However, Th17 cells and their related cytokines (IL-17, IL-6, MMP9) were positively correlated with LAD and negatively correlated with LVEF in AF patients, while Tim-3 + cells and their related cytokines (Tim-3, Gal-9) were negatively correlated, again indicating that Th17/Tim-3 + cells are involved in the pathological progression of AF and can be a key target for the treatment of atrial fibrillation.