Association Of Matrix Metalloproteinases-9 R279Q Gene Polymorphisms With Neuromyelitis Optica And Multiple Sclerosis Susceptibility In Han North Chinese Population

Objective: To investigate the association of Matrix metalloproteinases-9(MMP-9)R279Q gene polymorphisms with Neuromyelitis Optica(NMO)and Multiple Sclerosis(MS)susceptibility.Methods: DNA samples were obtained from 55 Neuromyelitis Optica patients,37 MS patients and 65 healthy controls.The MMP-9 R279 Q gene polymorphisms were genotyped by real-time PCR and Sanger sequencing.Results: The non-GG(GA+AA)genotype frequency was significantly higher for NMO patients than for MS patients and health controls.This result did not change in females when patients were stratified according to gender,but not in males.We found a significant increase in A allele carrier frequency in female patients with NMO compared to MS female and health female controls OR=2.889(95%CI1.242-8.349).No associations were observed between the age at disease onset,onset frequency,EDSS score and R279 Q gene polymorphisms.Conclusions: MMP-9 R279Q gene polymorphisms are associated with NMO susceptibility especially in female in Han North Chinese population,A allele increases the susceptibility of female NMO patients.