MMP12KO mice are partially protected from heart and skin fibrosis in the Ang II model.

<p>Picrosirius Red and Gomori's Trichrome staining was performed on paraffin sections respectively from the heart (<b>A</b>) and skin (<b>B</b>) of WT and MMP12KO mice infused with PBS or Ang II. Representative photographs are shown from five animals per group. <b>C</b>. Perivascular and interstitial collagen content in the heart was quantified using ImageJ software by measuring the ratio of the red area to the total area of the heart. <b>D</b>. Total hydroxyproline content in PBS- and Ang II-treated WT and MMP12KO mice. Values are the mean±SD of 6 mice in each group; *<i>p</i>≤0.05; **<i>p</i>≤0.01.