Influence of genetic polymorphism in matrix metalloproteinase-3 on extent of coronary atherosclerosis and risk of coronary artery stenosis.

Background and Aims: Matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP3) is key member of the MMP family. It is known to be present in coronary atherosclerosis. Several studies have demonstrated that MMP-3 5A/6A polymorphism modifies each transcriptional activity in an allele-specific manner. We hypothesized that this polymorphism may be a risk factor for the development of coronary artery stenosis (CAS). We estimated the effect of MMP3 (5A/6A) gene polymorphism on CAS risk in an Iranian population.
Methods: One hundred ninety patients with CAS and 200 healthy controls were in this study. MMP3 genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP).
Results: Significant differences between cases and controls were observed for MMP3 genotype frequencies (chi(2)=199.305, p<0.001). The 6A allele was less frequently seen in the control group compared with the disease group (85.79 vs. 78%, 6A/6A+5A/6A vs. 5A/5A, p< or =0.05). Association of this polymorphism with CAS severity was evaluated in the two groups, and distribution of the MMP3 genotype was not significantly different as compared with CAS severity (p>0.05).
Conclusions: These data imply involvement of the -1612 5A/6A polymorphism in CAS and also that the 6A/6A MMP-3 genotype is a genetic susceptibility factor for CAS (but does not affect disease severity).
(2009 IMSS. Published by Elsevier Inc.)