Two functional polymorphisms in the matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 (<i>MMP-2</i> and <i>MMP-9</i>) genes may contribute to periodontitis pathogenesis.
To determine whether circulating levels of two matrix metalloproteinases, MMP-2 and MMP-9, are associated with loss of alveolar bone density (ABD) or height (ABH), or with progression of periodontitis (relative clinical attachment level [RCAL]), among postmenopausal women with local and systemic bone loss.
In addition, human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) were tested for production of IL-6 and MMP-2 after stimulation with hydrocortisone (HC), MIF, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), or Fusobacterium nucleatum, a pathogen known to elicit immune responses during periodontitis.
Our results revealed that although studies of the association between MMP-8 -799 C/T variant and the susceptibility to periodontitis have not yielded consistent results, MMP-1 (-1607 1G/2G, -519 A/G, and -422 A/T), MMP-2 (-1575 G/A, -1306 C/T, -790 T/G, and -735 C/T), MMP-3 (-1171 5A/6A), MMP-8 (-381 A/G and +17 C/G), MMP-9 (-1562 C/T and +279 R/Q), and MMP-12 (-357 Asn/Ser), as well as MMP-13 (-77 A/G, 11A/12A) SNPs are not related to periodontitis risk.Conclusions.
In summary, current evidence demonstrated that MMP-9-753 C/T polymorphism reduced the risk of periodontitis, MMP-3-1171 5A/6A and MMP-8-799 C/T polymorphisms increased the risk of periodontitis, and MMP-2-753 C/T was not associated with risk of periodontitis.
Our findings suggest that polymorphisms in the MMP-2 gene promoter do not contribute significantly to the interindividual periodontitis susceptibility and/or severity in European Caucasians, and they are not regulatory variants in this disease.