Polymorphisms in matrix metalloproteinase-1, -9 and -12 genes and the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a Korean population.

BACKGROUND

Although a few studies have been conducted to evaluate the association of polymorphisms in matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) genes with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the results have been inconsistent.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the association of 3 polymorphisms of MMP genes (MMP-1 -1607G-->GG, MMP-9 -1562C-->T and MMP-12 N357S), which have been reported to be associated with COPD-related phenotypes, with the risk of COPD in a Korean population.

METHODS

The genotypes of the 3 polymorphisms were determined in 301 patients with COPD and 333 healthy controls.

RESULTS

Of the 3 polymorphisms studied, only the distribution of the MMP-9 -1562C-->T genotypes was significantly different between the cases and controls (p = 0.01), with the frequency of the variant T allele being significantly lower in the cases than in the controls (10.4 vs. 15.7%; p = 0.006). Individuals with at least 1 variant T allele were at a significantly decreased risk of COPD when compared with those with homozygous wild-type alleles (adjusted odds ratio = 0.69; 95% CI = 0.45-0.98; p = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that the MMP-9 -1562C-->T polymorphism could be used as a marker for determining the genetic susceptibility to COPD in a Korean population.