Additionally, MMP-3 and MMP-12 expression is significantly upregulated post-stroke: MMP-3 activates pro-MMP-9, amplifying the proteolytic cascade (Ogata et al., 1992); MMP-12 further exacerbates neurovascular injury by promoting inflammatory cell infiltration (Chelluboina et al., 2015). Here, MMP3 is linked to stroke disorder.