P-212: Matrix metallopeptidase gene polymorphisms and silent cerebral infarct in a large Japanese general population

• Published in: American journal of hypertension Vol. 18; no. S4; p. 82A
• Main Authors: Kohara, Katsuhiko, Fijisawa, Michiko, Ando, Fujiko, Tabara, Yasuharu, Niino, Naoakira, Miki, Tetsuro, Shimokata, Hiroshi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Oxford University Press 01.05.2005
• Subjects: Cerebral Infarct; Matrix Metalloproteinase; Polymorphism
• ISSN: 0895-7061; 1941-7225; 1879-1905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.amjhyper.2005.03.229

Silent cerebral infarct (SCI) has been shown to be a potent risk factor for future symptomatic stroke and has been considered as a surrogate marker of stroke. Aging is the most potent risk factor of SCI in addition to hypertension. Since extracellular matrix composition determines elastic properties of the arterial wall, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) could play important roles in the pathogenesis of age-related arterial sclerosis. In the present study, we investigated the possible association between genes encoding MMP family and MRI proven SCI in a large Japanese general population. 2203 subjects recruited in NILS-LSA study (National Institute for Longevity Sciences Longitudinal Study of Aging) aged 40–79 years old, 1104 men and 1099 women, participated in the study. Known SNPs in the promoter regions of MMP family, MMP-1 (1G/2G -1607), MMP-3 (5A/6A -1612), MMP-9 (C-1562T), and MMP-12 (A-82G) were genotyped in each subject. SCI and periventricular hyperintensity (PVH) were evaluated by MRI. The prevalence of SCI was increased with age. 219 subjects (134 men and 85 women) had SCI and 193 of them (121 male and 72 women) had lacuna infarct. There ware no significant difference in the prevalence of SCI among all genotypes examined in a total population and in men. However, in women, prevalence of SCI was significantly different between MMP-1 1G carriers (33/581) and 2G2G genotypes (52/518, χ2=7.29, p=0.0069). These findings indicate that MMP-1 could be a susceptible gene for SCI in a Japanese female population. Sex-specific genetic mechanisms need to be further investigation.