A Study of MMP-9 rs3918242 Gene Polymorphism in Egyptian Ischemic Stroke Patients

Abstract

Background: Stroke is a complex condition influenced by various factors, with ischemic stroke (IS) having diverse etiologies and  pathogenic mechanisms. Emerging evidence suggests that its development involves an interplay between genetic and environmental  components. One notable genetic factor is the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs3918242 in the MMP-9 gene, which may heighten an individual's susceptibility to IS.

Objective: Toelucidate the potential association between the MMP-9 rs3918242 polymorphism and the risk of IS, while also exploring the various clinical manifestations observed among the Egyptian IS patient cohort.

Materials and methods:The study recruited 70 IS patients from Benha University Hospitals, Egypt, along with 30 healthy controls. The  MMP-9 gene variant (rs3918242) was analyzed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) coupled with restriction fragment length  polymorphism (RFLP) employing the SphI restriction enzyme.

Results: A significant association of CT genotype (OR =3.22, 95% CI =1.68– 6.18, P<0.05) with the risk to develop IS and T allele wasalso linked to an elevated risk for IS in comparison to the C allele (OR =3.35, 95% CI  =2.21–5.08, P<0.05).

Conclusions:The MMP-9 rs3918242 gene polymorphism is a potential risk factor for IS in Egyptians.