Novel Role for Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 in Modulation of Cholesterol Metabolism

Background The development of atherosclerosis is strongly linked to disorders of cholesterol metabolism. Matrix metalloproteinases ( MMP s) are dysregulated in patients and animal models with atherosclerosis. Whether systemic MMP activity influences cholesterol metabolism is unknown. Methods and Results We examined MMP ‐9–deficient ( Mmp9 −/− ) mice and found them to have abnormal lipid gene transcriptional responses to dietary cholesterol...