Between the soluble factors analyzed (MMP9, TNF <i>α</i>, IL6, CXCL13, CXCL10, CXCL8, IFN <i>γ</i>, IL10, IL17, IL23, and others) we found MMP9 increased in neuro Behçet serum compared to multiple sclerosis and decreased in cerebrospinal fluid.
Subgroup analysis based on stratification by gender revealed that the MMP-92003 G/A polymorphism was associated with a highly significant BD risk in women's group (G vs. A: P=0.0000001).
The frequency of MMP-2-1575*G/*G and MMP-2-735*C/*C genotypes was shown to be lower in BD, whereas MMP-9-1562*C/*C was significantly higher in BD compared with the controls.
These results suggest that MMP-9 is a novel susceptibility gene and its promoter polymorphisms can affect the development of visceral involvement in BD.