BMC Medical Genetics (Mar 2010)

Variants of the <it>Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 </it>but not the <it>Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 </it>genes significantly influence functional outcome after stroke

  • Sobral João,
  • Krug Tiago,
  • Manso Helena,
  • Albergaria Isabel,
  • Gaspar Gisela,
  • Ferro José M,
  • Oliveira Sofia A,
  • Vicente Astrid M

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2350-11-40
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 1
p. 40

Abstract

Read online

Abstract Background Multiple lines of evidence suggest that genetic factors contribute to stroke recovery. The matrix metalloproteinases -2 (MMP-2) and -9 (MMP-9) are modulators of extracellular matrix components, with important regulatory functions in the Central Nervous System (CNS). Shortly after stroke, MMP-2 and MMP-9 have mainly damaging effects for brain tissue. However, MMPs also have a beneficial activity in angiogenesis and neurovascular remodelling during the delayed neuroinflammatory response phase, thus possibly contributing to stroke functional recovery. Methods In the present study, the role of MMP-2 and MMP-9 genetic variants in stroke recovery was investigated in 546 stroke patients. Functional outcome was assessed three months after a stroke episode using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and patients were classified in two groups: good recovery (mRS ≤ 1) or poor recovery (mRS>1). Haplotype tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the MMP-2 (N = 21) and MMP-9 (N = 4) genes were genotyped and tested for association with stroke outcome, adjusting for significant non-genetic clinical variables. Results Six SNPs in the MMP-2 gene were significantly associated with stroke outcome (0.0018P P MMP-9 gene. Conclusions The results presented strongly indicate that MMP-2 genetic variants are an important mediator of functional outcome after stroke.