TIMP2 and abdominal aortic aneurysm: However, research has shown that these markers are not specific for the TAA, as their increased levels can be detected in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) (MMP-3, MMP-8, MMP-12, and TIMP-3), kidney diseases (TIMP-2) or cancers (MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2) [41].