Polymorphisms of genes involved in extracellular matrix remodeling and abdominal aortic aneurysm

This study identifies polymorphisms in MMP2, MMP3, MMP-13, TIMP1, and ELN genes as genetic markers of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and underline the need to concentrate our efforts in studying the role of these markers in the aneurysmal disease to improve the understanding of its pathophysiology and pathogenesis. This study is part of the task for the identification of AAA genetic susceptibility factors, fundamental to design and develop gene-based clinical studies in the future to validate diagnostic or prognostic scores based on clinical, biochemical, genetic, and proteomic information to be applied in the everyday clinical practice.