title: Genetic variability of matrix metalloproteinase genes in cardiovascular disease.
abstract: It is well established that matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) contribute to the degradation of the extracellular matrix of coronary plaque and contribute to the thinning of the fibrous cap. As a result, the atheromatous plaque becomes unstable and prone to rupture with consequent clinical manifestations including acute coronary syndromes. Moreover, genetic polymorphisms of MMPs have been found to be associated with the concentration of circulating MMPs, and over the past decade, considerable efforts have been devoted to explore the relationships between MMPs polymorphisms and myocardial infarction risk among various populations. However, existing studies have yielded inconsistent results. Some observations have suggested that genetic variation that affects the expression of MMPs may contribute to the occurrence of myocardial infarction, whereas others reported no support for an association of MMPs polymorphisms with myocardial infarction susceptibility. Furthermore, the interpretation of these studies has been complicated by the use of different populations or different control sources. Therefore, further studies are required to evaluate the role of matrix metalloproteinases and especially the associated genetic polymorphisms in cardiovascular disease.
authors.affiliation: 1st Cardiology Department, Athens University Medical School, Hippokration Hospital, Athens, Greece. drnpapageorgiou@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Papageorgiou
authors.forename: Dimitris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tousoulis
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hatzis
authors.forename: Alexandros
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Briasoulis
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Androulakis
authors.forename: Anastasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giolis
authors.forename: Gerasimos
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Siasos
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Latsios
authors.forename: Georgia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vogiatzi
authors.forename: Costas
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tentolouris
authors.forename: Christodoulos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stefanadis
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic
chemical_list: D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases