MMP-2 belongs to a family of endoproteases which need calcium and zinc in order to exert their catalytic capability (extracellular matrix remodeling). The elevated expression of these enzymes has been linked to many degenerative disorders, such as arthritis, cancer metastasis and skeletal growth-plate disorders. It has been shown that MMP-2 associates with many connective tissue cells as well as neutrophils, macrophages and monocytes.