Prevalence of MMP-8 gene polymorphisms in HIV-infected individuals and its association with HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are well-known as mediators of neuroinflammation in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND). Increased levels of MMP-8 have been observed in the HIV-infected patients. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the association of MMP-8 gene polymorphisms with modulation of HAND severity and its prevalence in HIV-infected and healthy individuals. We enrolled a total of 150 HIV-infected individuals, 50 HAND patients, 100 HIV-infected and 150 healthy individuals. MMP-8 (-799C/T, + 17C/G) polymorphisms were genotyped by PCR-RFLP. MMP-8 − 799TT genotype and + 17G allele showed the higher risk for modulation of HAND severity (OR = 2.20, P = 0.19; OR = 1.97, P = 0.23). MMP-8 − 799TT genotype differed significantly in HIV-infected individuals compared to healthy controls (20.0% vs. 11.3%, OR = 2.36, P = 0.048). Haplotype TG increased the risk for modulation of HAND severity (OR = 2.29, P = 0.29). MMP-8 − 799TT and + 17CG genotypes were overrepresented in the intermediate HIV disease stage compared with healthy controls (25.9% vs. 11.3%, OR = 4.34, P = 0.021, 14.8% vs. 9.3%, OR = 2.88, P = 0.11). MMP-8 + 17CG genotype enhanced the risk for modulation of HAND severity in tobacco using HAND patients (OR = 5.01, P = 0.17). MMP-8 − 799TT genotype was more frequent in tobacco using HIV-infected individuals compared with nonusers (26.3% vs. 16.7%, OR = 2.08, P = 0.32). MMP-8 + 17CG genotype increased the risk for modulation of HAND severity in alcohol using HAND patients (OR = 4.99, P = 0.18). In conclusion, MMP-8 polymorphisms independently and with alcohol and tobacco usage revealed a trend of higher risk for the modulation of HAND severity. MMP-8 − 799TT genotype was associated with the advancement of HIV disease.