The Association Between Matrix Metalloproteinase-7 A-181G Polymorphism and the Risk of Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis in Iranian Kurdish Patients from Kermanshah

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common chronic genetic disease of the central nervous system. The relapsing-remitting-MS (RRMS) is the most common form of this disease. Matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) is an important member of the MMP family, which degrades many extracellular matrix components. The common polymorphism of MMP-7 A-181G is associated with some diseases. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to determine the influence of this polymorphism on the risk of RR-MS. Materials and Methods: Eighty RR-MS patients and 80 healthy individuals as controls from the Kermanshah province were studied for MMP-7 A-181G polymorphism by using the PCR-RFLP method. Data were analyzed using the SPSS statistical software package version 16.0. Results: In RR-MS patients the frequency of MMP-7 GG genotype was significantly (P = 0.028) higher compared to that of the controls. The presence of GG genotype increased the risk of RR-MS by 1.69 times [OR = 1.69 and 95% CI = 1.05- 2.72, P = 0.03]. The frequency of MMP-7 G allele in RR-MS patients was significantly higher (51.2%, P = 0.043) than that of the controls (40%). The presence of this allele increased the risk of RR-MS by 1.58 folds (P = 0.044). Conclusions: Our findings indicate that the presence of G allele of MMP-7 A-181G polymorphism might increase the risk of RR-MS in our population.