Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 -1306 C > T gene polymorphism affects circulating levels of MMP-2 in Egyptian asthmatic patients

• Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 participates in bronchial asthma pathogenesis.
• High MMP-2 serum levels were observed in Egyptian asthmatic patients.
• Circulating MMP-2 levels affected by MMP-2 -1306 C > T gene polymorphism.
• The MMP-2 -1306 C > T gene polymorphism provides protection against asthma manifestations.

Asthma is a common chronic inflammatory ailment affects the respiratory system leading to bronchial hyper-reactivity. Both genetic and environmental factors play a principal role in asthma pathogenesis. Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) encoded by MMP-2 gene and degrades type IV collagen leading to an inflammatory response.We assessed the serum level of MMP-2 in Egyptian asthmatic patients and also we investigated the association between the functional MMP-2 -1306 C > T promoter polymorphism and bronchial asthma susceptibility and finally we explored the effect of the polymorphism on the production of MMP-2 in asthmatic patients.This study was conducted on 80 stable asthmatic patients and 80 healthy age-matched individuals. Serum MMP-2 and total IgE concentrations were measured by ELISA. Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood and MMP-2 -1306 C > T polymorphism was genotyped by Real Time-PCR using TaqMan allele discrimination assay.Asthmatic patients had higher serum MMP-2 levels than controls. Subjects with the CT and TT genotypes had a decreased risk of asthma (OR = 0.42, P = 0.02, OR = 0.12, P = 0.04, respectively) in contrast to those with the CC genotype. A strong association was found between mutant T allele and protection against asthma (OR = 0.37, P = 0.002). Furthermore, serum levels of MMP-2 were significantly lower in asthmatic patients carrying CT and TT genotypes than those carrying CC genotypes.Bronchial asthma is associated with high serum levels of MMP-2, while MMP-2 -1306C > T gene polymorphism provides a significant protection against asthma manifestation through down-regulation of MMP-2 gene expression leading to lower level of circulating MMP-2.