Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 genotypes and haplotypes in preeclampsia and gestational hypertension.
BACKGROUND
Abnormal production of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), especially MMP-9, may play a role in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. These alterations may result from functional genetic polymorphisms in the promoter region of MMP-9 gene, which are known to change MMP-9 expression. We examined whether 2 MMP-9 polymorphisms (C(-1562)T and (CA)n) and haplotypes are associated with preeclampsia and/or gestational hypertension.


METHODS
We studied 476 pregnant women: 176 healthy pregnant (HP), 146 pregnant with gestational hypertension (GH), and 154 pregnant with preeclampsia (PE). Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood and genotypes for C(-1562)T and (CA)n polymorphisms were determined by PCR-RFLP. Haplotype frequencies were inferred using the PHASE ver. 2.1 program.


RESULTS
For the g.-90(CA)13-25 polymorphism, no significant differences were found in genotype and allele distributions when PE or GH groups were compared with HP group. However, the CT genotype and T allele for g.-1562C>T polymorphism were more commonly found in GH subjects compared with the HP group (both P<0.05). Conversely, we found no differences in genotypes or allele distributions for the g.-1562C>T polymorphism when the PE and the HP groups were compared. No significant differences were found in overall distributions of haplotype frequencies when the GH or the PE group was compared with the HP group.


CONCLUSIONS
The C(-1562)T polymorphism in MMP-9 gene is associated with gestational hypertension, but not with preeclampsia. These findings may help to explain the higher plasma MMP-9 levels previously reported in GH compared with HP.
Palei
Ana C T
AC
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicinal Sciences, University of Campinas, State University of Campinas, 13081-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
Sandrim
Valeria C
VC
Duarte
Geraldo
G
Cavalli
Ricardo C
RC
Gerlach
Raquel F
RF
Tanus-Santos
Jose E
JE
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005819:Genetic Markers / Q000235:genetics; D005838:Genotype; D006239:Haplotypes / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D046110:Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics; D011247:Pregnancy; D055815:Young Adult
D005819:Genetic Markers; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9