Evaluation of MMP-2 (-1306C/T and -735C/T), MMP-9 (-1562C/T) and TNF-alpha (-308G/A) promoter variants in recurrent spontaneous abortion.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was undertaken to determine the association of genetic variants of MMP-2 (-1306C/T and -735C/T), MMP-9 (-1562C/T), and TNF-α (-308G/A) with RSA risk or protection. METHODS: 80 patients and 110 controls were enrolled for the study. Genotyping was carried out using PCR-RFLP method. Serum MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities were assessed by gelatin zymography. Data were analyzed statistically using SPSS, STATA and SHESis Plus. RESULTS: MMP-2 -1306C/T variant was associated with reduced RSA risk under codominant (p - 0.044), dominant (p - 0.042), and overdominant (p - 0.042) models. However, MMP-2 -735C/T and MMP-9-1562C/T variants were not associated with RSA. The T-C haplotype of MMP-2 variants was found to be associated with reduced RSA risk. Conversely, TNF-α -308G/A variant was strongly associated with increased RSA risk under codominant (p - 0.008), dominant (p - 0.011), and overdominant (p - 0.004) models. Gelatin zymography demonstrated elevated serum MMP-2 activity in patients as compared to controls. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that MMP-2 -1306C/T variant may reduce and TNF-α -308G/A variant may increase RSA risk. The T-C haplotype of MMP-2 may also confer protection against RSA. An elevated serum MMP-2 activity in RSA patients indicates that MMP-2 may serve as potential biomarker.