MMP7 and chronic kidney disease: In the protein expression level, there is an upregulation in α-SMA, GAL3, MMP7, and COL1A1 proteins in CKD versus control in the cortex (all P < 0.05, Fig. 7C–F), and GAL3 and MMP7 proteins in the medulla (both P < 0.01, Fig. 7G, H).