The loss of TIMP4 did not impact the cardiac response to pressure overload. A, survival of AB- or sham-operated Timp4+/+ and Timp4−/− mice (n = 20/group), and representative macroscopic heart cross-sections at 6-weeks post-AB. B, left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD), fractional shortening (FS) and posterior wall thickness (PWT) are equivalent in these mice up to 12-weeks post-AB. Data are mean ± S.E.; n = 3, sham groups; n = 6, AB groups; *, p < 0.05 versus corresponding sham group. C, Taqman RT-PCR analysis of RNA for Timp1, Timp2, Timp3, and Timp4 in hearts of Timp4+/+ and Timp4−/− mice at 6 weeks after sham operation or aortic banding. Values were normalized to 18 S rRNA and are expressed as mean ± S.E.; n = 4–6 for each group. *, p < 0.05 versus corresponding sham; ‡, p < 0.05 versus Timp4+/+ AB.