Positive association of MMP 14 gene polymorphism with vulnerable carotid plaque formation in a Han Chinese population.
BACKGROUND
MMP 14 is expressed in atherosclerotic plaques and potentially plays an important role in the development of vulnerable carotid plaques. MMP 14 gene polymorphisms can influence the bioactivity or expression of MMP 14.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the association between MMP 14 position + 7096 T > C (NM_004995.2:c.855T> C, rs2236307) polymorphism and vulnerable carotid plaque formation.


METHODS
1370 patients with ischemic cerebral infarctions were enrolled and divided into three groups according to their carotid ultrasound examination: No plaque group (n = 346), stable plaque group (n = 695) and vulnerable plaque group (n = 329). The traditional atherosclerosis risk factors were recorded, and the MMP 14 polymorphism were genotyped by Applied Biosystems 7300 Real-Time PCR System using the TaqMan assay.


RESULTS
In the multiple logistic regression analysis done among the sub-groups, compared to no carotid plaque group, individuals with the MMP 14 position + 7096 TC+ CC genotype showed a significantly (p = 0.009) lower risk for vulnerable plaque (AOR = 0.675; 95% CI, 0.568-0.922) formation compared with subjects of the TT genotype; however, no relation between TC+ CC genotype and stable carotid plaque was observed (p > 0.125). Age was a risk factor for both stable plaque (p = 0.000; AOR = 3.732; 95% CI: 2.496-5.58) and vulnerable plaque formation (p = 0.001; AOR = 2.234; 95% CI: 1.387-3.597). Meanwhile, fibrinogen (> 4.0 g/L) was a risk factor for stable plaque (p = 0.004; AOR = 2.313; 95% CI: 1.308-4.091).


CONCLUSIONS
The MMP 14 position + 7096 TC+ CC genotype might lower the risk of vulnerable carotid plaque formation. Fibrinogen (> 4.0 g/L) was a risk factor for stable plaque.
Department of Neurology, Taizhou Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College , Taizhou, Zhejiang , P. R. China.
Cai
C
Li
Xiao-Ping
XP
Jin
Min
M
Zhu
Qiao-Ling
QL
Chen
Feng
F
Wang
Xiao-Fei
XF
Hu
Wan-Fen
WF
Wang
Wei-Ling
WL
Li
Feng
F
Zhu
Zhou
Z
Zheng
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D044466:Asian People; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology / Q000235:genetics*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053511:Matrix Metalloproteinase 14 / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012307:Risk Factors
D015415:Biomarkers; D005340:Fibrinogen; C507086:MMP14 protein, human; D053511:Matrix Metalloproteinase 14