Key EMT-related genes that were downregulated in MMP-3 KO males included Fbn1, Fbln1, Tgfb1, Tgfbr3, Snai2, and Fgf2, while female MMP-3 KO stroke brains showed downregulation of Fbln5, Fbln1, Fbln2, and Tgfb1. Here, FGF2 is linked to stroke disorder.