Polymorphisms of the Matrix Metalloproteinase Genes are Associated with Acute Ischemic Stroke in Chinese Han Population

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Studies have shown that matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-2,3,9) plays an important role in the pathologic process of ischemic stroke (IS). The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between C1306T, 1612–5A/6A, C-1562T polymorphisms of MMP-2,3,9 genes and IS in Chinese Han population. METHODS: The polymorphisms of MMP-2(C1306T), −3(1612–5A/6A), −9(C-1562T) gene were detected by PCR-RFLP and SNaPshot sequencing. Then, stratified analysis was used to study the relationship between IS subtypes and MMP-2,3,9 polymorphisms. RESULTS: For the MMP-2 gene C1306T polymorphism, TT genotype and T allele were significantly associated with a reduced risk of IS (P = 0.015, P = 0.003, respectively). T allele was significantly associated with a reduced risk of small artery occlusion (SAO) subtype compared with the control group (P = 0.012, OR = 0.550, 95% CI = 0.065–1.291). For the MMP-3 gene-1612 (5A/6A) polymorphism, 5A/5A genotype was significantly increased in the IS group (P = 0.011, OR = 0.370, 95% CI = 0.168–0.814), especially in the large-artery atherosclerosis (LAA) subtype (P = 0.001, OR = 2.345) as compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: Our study suggested that the T allele of MMP-2 may be a protective factor of IS, especially in SAO subtype, while the 5A/5A gene of MMP-3 may increase the risk of IS, especially in LAA subtype in Chinese Han population.