Smallwood, L., Allcock, R., van Bockxmeer, F., Warrington, N., Palmer, L.J., Iacopetta, B., Golledge, J., and Norman, P.E. (2008) Polymorphisms of the matrix metalloproteinase 9 gene and abdominal aortic aneurysm. British Journal of Surgery, 95 (10). pp. 1239-1244.

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Abstract

Background: Increased matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 9 activity has been implicated in the formation of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). The aim was to explore the association between potentially functional variants of the MMP-9 gene and AAA.

Methods: The - 1562C > T and - 1811A > T variants of the MMP-9 gene were genotyped in 678 men with an AAA (at least 30 mm in diameter) and 659 control subjects (aortic diameter 19-22 mm) recruited from a population-based trial of screening for AAA. Levels of MMP-9 were measured in a random subset of 300 cases and 84 controls. The association between genetic variants (including haplotypes) and AAA was assessed by multivariable logistic regression.

Results: There was no association between the MMP-9 - 1562C > T (odds ratio (OR) 0·70 (95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) 0·27 to 1·82)) or - 1811A > T (OR 0·71 (95 per cent c.i. 0·28 to 1·85)) genotypes, or the most common haplotype (OR 0·81 (95 per cent c.i. 0·62 to 1·05)) and AAA. The serum MMP-9 concentration was higher in cases than controls, and in minor allele carriers in cases and controls, although the differences were not statistically significant.

Conclusion: In this study, the genetic tendency to higher levels of circulating MMP-9 was not associated with AAA.

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