MMP-9-1562位点T等位基因与儿童EV71重症脑炎易感性关系的研究

目的:研究基因MMP-9-1562位点基因多态性与肠道病毒71型(EV71)脑炎的关系,探讨不同基因型对EV71脑炎患病风险及病情程度的影响.方法:运用限制性片段长度多态性-聚合酶链反应(PCR-RFLP)检测EV71感染阳性病毒性脑炎患儿及正常对照组儿童基因组MMP-9-1562位点碱基变异情况.结果:EV71脑炎重症组MMP-9-1562位点T等位基因频率分布明显高于EV71脑炎轻症组(16％VS7.5％,OR 2.362,95％CI 1.170-4.768,P＜0.05).MMP-9-1562位点T等位基因携带者感染EV71后可明显增加神经系统并发症的发生率.EV71脑炎患儿MMP-9-1562位点T等位基因频率分布与正常对照儿童比较无明显差异.结论:MMP-9-1562位点T等位基因携带者在感染EV71后易发展为重症中枢神经系统感染;MMP-9-1562位点T等位基因可增加EV71感染后神经系统并发症的发生率;MMP-9-1562位点单核苷酸多态性与EV71脑炎的发病率无关.     

IL-10基因多态性与子宫内膜异位症易感性的相关性研究

目的:探究白细胞介素-10(IL-10)基因多态性与子宫内膜异位症(EMs)易感性的相关性。方法:选取87例经病理组织学证实为EMs患者,对照组为100例健康女性,应用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性(PCR-RFLP)分析方法,对两组妇女IL-10-1082、-819和-592位点的基因行多态性分析。结果:与对照组相比,EMs组-1082G/A位点等位基因及基因频率无差异(P0.05),-819 T/C和-592A/C位点等位基因或基因型频率较高(P0.05);与Ⅰ-Ⅱ期EMs患者相比,Ⅲ-Ⅳ期EMs患者-819T/C和-592A/C位点等位基因或基因型频率显著较高(P0.01)。结论:IL-10基因在-819T/C以及-592A/C位点的多态性与EMs的易感性有显著相关性。     

染色体1q12 区段IL6R 基因多态性与儿童哮喘易感性的研究

目的:检测染色体1q12区段IL6R基因多态性与儿童发生支气管哮喘易感性的关系。方法:150名支气管哮喘患儿为支气管哮喘组。150名健康儿童为对照组。采用质谱单核苷酸多态性(SNP)技术,对两组儿童的IL6R基因进行分析。结果:两组IL6基因位点的分布符合Hardy-Weinburg平衡定律。两组IL6R基因rs4845374位点的基因型与等位基因相比较,无明显差异(X2值分别为3.442和3.701;P值分别为0.179和0.088)。两组IL6R基因rs2228145位点的基因型与等位基因相比较,差异均有统计学意义(X2值分别为6.635和9.200;P值分别为0.036和0.003)。IL6R基因rs2228145位点基因型的变异等位基因T、C与支气管哮喘存在密切联系,CC、TT型出现支气管哮喘的风险均比CT型高。结论:IL6R基因rs4845374位点与儿童支气管哮喘无相关性,而rs2228145位点多态性与儿童支气管哮喘有相关性。     

易感基因多态性与支气管哮喘的相关性研究

目的:探讨白介素-4(Interleukin-4,IL-4)基因589位点、白介素-4受体(interleukin-4 receptor,IL-4R)基因576位点多态性与内蒙古地区汉族支气管哮喘患者是否存在遗传易感性,是否与血清总IgE浓度相关.方法:采用聚合酶链式反应-限制性片段长度多态性(PCR-RFLP)方法检测内蒙古地区62例支气管哮喘患者和30例汉族正常人群IL-4基因的589位点、IL-4R基因的576位点多态性,进行基因型和基因频率分析,同时采用Elisa法检测患者血清总IgE浓度.结果:哮喘组IL-4基因启动子区-589(C/T)位点多态性分布频率与对照组比较,两组间基因型频率分析(X2=3.437,P=0.179),无显著性统计学差异(P＞0.05);两组基因频率分析(X2=9.405,P=0.002),有显著性差异(P＜0.05).哮喘组IL-4R基因启动子区-576(Q/R)位点多态性分布频率与对照组比较,两组间基因型频率分析(X2=0.815,P=0.665),无显著性统计学差异(P＞0.05),两组基因频率分析(X2=0.245,P=0.621),无显著性差异(P＞0.05).哮喘组血清总IgE浓度高于对照组,有显著性差异(t=6.367,P=0.00,P＜0.05).结论:内蒙古地区汉族人群哮喘组中,IL-4基因启动子区-589(C/T)位点多态性与支气管哮喘的发病无显著性差异;IL-4R基因-576(Q/R)位点多态性与支气管哮喘的发病无显著性差异;患者组血清总IgE显著高于对照组,但是与IL-4基因启动子区-589(C/T)位点多态性和IL-4R基因-576(Q/R)位点多态性没有相关性.     

缺血性脑卒中患者同型半胱氨酸代谢相关酶基因突变的研究

为研究同型半胱氨酸代谢相关酶亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶(MTHFR)基因C677T和胱硫醚-β-合成酶(CBS)基因T833C位点碱基突变与缺血性脑卒中的关系,对74例缺血性脑卒中患者和83例健康对照者,采用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性(PCR-RFLP)技术检测MTHFR基因C677T基因型,用扩增阻滞突变体系法(ARMS)检测CBS基因T833C突变。实验检出患者组MTHFR基因T纯合基因型、杂合基因型和T等位基因频率分别为2.7％、51.4％和28.4％,对照组分别为1.2％、39,8％和21.1％。患者组CBS基因C纯合基因型和C等位基因频率分别为13.5％和43.9％,对照组分别为6.0％和38.0％。Multiple Logistic Regression分析显示;C677T位点T等位基因,T833C位点C等位基因以及年龄均与缺血性脑卒中发病有关(P<0.05),C677T位点T等位基因的比值比(OR)为1.74(95％CI 1.06～2,B6)和T833C位点C等位基因的比值比为1.73(95％CI 1.07～-2.81)。实验显示MTHFR C677T和CBS T833C基因位点突变与缺血性脑卒中发病有关,上述两个基因位点突变可能是缺血性脑卒中发病的遗传因素。     

微粒体甘油三酯转移蛋白基因-164T/C基因多态性与非酒精性脂肪肝的关联性研究

目的:探讨微粒体甘油三酯转移蛋白(Microsomal triglyceride transfer protein,MTP)MTP基因启动子区164T/C单核苷酸多态性与(Single nucleotide polymorphism,SNP)与非酒精性脂肪肝(Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease,NAFLD)的相关性.方法:严格按照诊断标准收集NAFLD患者156例,随机选择健康体检者125例作为对照组,应用聚合酶链反应-限制性酶切片段长度多态性(Polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism,PCR-RFLP)技术对受试者进行基因分型.采用SPSS11.5软件分析各位点基因型、等位基因频率及组间差异.结果:病例组和对照组均检测到MTP基因-164T/C位点TT、TC和CC 3种基因型;MTP基因-164T/C位点的基因型及等位基因频率分布在病例和对照组中差别有统计学意义(P<0.05),NAFLD组等位基因C频率显著高于对照组(P<0.01).结论:MTP基因启动子区164T/C位点多态性可能与非酒精性脂肪肝有关.携带有等位基因C的个体可能更容易患非酒精性脂肪肝.     

多巴胺D4受体基因启动子区功能多态性与海洛因依赖的相关性研究

目的:探讨多巴胺D4受体(DRD4)基因启动子区的3个功能多态性位点与海洛因依赖的相关性.方法:严格按照诊断标准,选取无亲缘关系的海洛因依赖患者212例及健康对照组200例提取基因组DNA,采用聚合酶链反应及等位基因特异性扩增技术检测DRD4基因启动子区-521C/T、-616C/G、及-1240L/S 3个功能多态性位点的基因型,采用HaploView及SPSS11.5软件分析各位点基因型、等位基因频率及组间差异.结果:DRD4基因-521C/T的基因型及等位基因频率分布在海洛因依赖组与正常对照组存在显著性差异(p＜0.05).结论:多巴胺D4受体(DRD4)基因-521C/T多态性与海洛因依赖相关联,T等位基因可能是海洛因依赖的风险因子.     

多巴胺D1受体基因多态性与注意缺陷多动障碍的相关性研究

目的:探讨多巴胺D1受体(Dopamine D1 receptor, DRD1)基因启动子区G-48A、外显子区T1403C两个SNP位点与注意缺陷多动障碍(attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,ADHD)的关联性.方法:选取87名ADHD患者和103名正常对照,提取基因组DNA,采用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性(PCR-RFLP)技术检测G-48A和T1403C两个多态性位点的基因型,SPSS13.0软件分析各位点的等位基因及基因型频率.结果:DRD1的G-48A基因型及等位基因频率分布在ADHD和对照组之间有统计学差异(p<0.05),ADHD组中等位基因A频率显著高于正常组(p<0.05).T1403C位点基因型及等位基因频率在ADHD组与健康对照组无统计学差异.结论:DRD1基因G-48A多态性可能与ADHD的发病有关,携带有等位基因A的个体可能更容易患ADHD.T1403C多态性与ADHD的发病无明显相关性.     

脑源性神经营养因子基因多态性与注意缺陷多动障碍的关联性研究

目的:探讨脑源性神经营养因子(Brain-derivedneurotrophicfactor,BDNF)G196A、C270T及Val66Met3个单核苷酸多态性(SNP)位点与注意缺陷多动障碍(ADHD)的关系。方法:选取无亲缘关系的ADHD患者共114例,健康对照共96例。采用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性(PCR-RFLP)技术检测G196A、C270T和Val66Met3个多态性位点的多态性,采用HaploView4.0及SPSS13.0软件进行连锁不平衡分析并比较两组基因型分布和等位基因频率。结果:BDNF三个多态性位点基因型及等位基因频率分布均符合Hardy-Weinberg定律。ADHD组G196A和C270T多态性位点分布与正常对照组比较差异无统计学意义,而BDNF基因Val66Met位点的基因型及等位基因频率分布在ADHD组与对照组存在显著性差异(p<0.05),ADHD组Val66Met位点的等位基因G(Val)频率显著高于正常对照组。结论:BDNF基因Val66Met多态性可能与ADHD发病有关,携带有Val66Met多态性位点G等位基因的个体可能更容易产生ADHD。     

apelin基因rs2235306位点多态性与哮喘的相关性研究

目的:探讨apelin基因rs2235306位点多态性与哮喘的相关性。方法:以外周血全血DNA为模板,应用四引物扩增受阻突变体系PCR(Tetra-primer ARMS PCR,T-ARMS-PCR)方法对158例哮喘患者(AS)和79例健康个体(NC)apelin基因rs2235306位点基因型进行分析,同时进行肺功能检查(FEV1、FVC、FEV1/FVC)。结果:AS组和NC组apelin基因rs2235306位点等位基因T和C频率分布具有统计学意义(X2=6.906,P=0.009,OR=1.688,95%CI=1.140-2.497),AS组C等位基因频率显著高于健康对照组;AS组和NC组基因型分布具有统计学意义(X2=14.243,P=0.000,OR=3.894,95%CI=1.861-8.149),其中CC基因型患哮喘的风险较高,为TT+TC基因型的3.894倍。AS轻度组和AS中重度组基因型CC和TT+TC频率及等位基因T和C频率比较均无统计学意义。结论:apelin基因rs2235306位点多态性和哮喘的发病具有一定的相关性,C等位基因可能是哮喘的遗传易感基因,CC基因型携带者哮喘的患病风险可能增加,但与哮喘的严重程度无明显相关性。     

Genetic variants in matrix metalloproteinase-9 gene modify metalloproteinase-9 levels in black subjects

Altered matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) levels are involved in cardiovascular diseases and increased MMP-9 levels enhance the cardiovascular risk in apparently healthy subjects. We investigated the effects of MMP-9 gene polymorphisms and haplotypes on the circulating MMP-9 levels in healthy black subjects and the effects of an MMP-2 polymorphism on the plasma MMP-2 concentrations. We studied 190 healthy subjects, nonsmokers, self-reported as blacks (18-63 years). Genotypes for the MMP-2 C(-1306)T polymorphism and the MMP-9 C(-1562)T, 90(CA)(14-24) and Q279R polymorphisms (rs243865, rs3918242, rs2234681, and rs17576, respectively) were determined by TaqMan(?) Allele Discrimination assay and real-time polymerase chain reaction or restriction fragment length polymorphism. Alleles for the 90(CA)(14-24) polymorphism were grouped as low (L) when there were <21 and high (H) when there were ≥21 CA repeats. The plasma levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were determined by gelatin zymography. The software PHASE 2.1 was used to estimate the haplotypes frequencies. Although we found no effects of the MMP-9 C(-1562)T or the Q279R polymorphisms on MMP-9 levels, higher MMP-9 levels were associated with the HH genotype for the -90(CA)(14-24) polymorphism compared with the HL or LL genotypes. Lower MMP-9 levels were found in carriers of the CRL haplotype (combining the C, R, and L alleles for the MMP-9 polymorphisms) compared with the CRH haplotype. Consistent with this finding, the CRL haplotype was more commonly found in subjects with low MMP-9 levels. The MMP-2 C(-1306)T polymorphism had no effects on the plasma MMP-2 levels. Our results show that MMP-9 genetic variations modify MMP-9 levels in black subjects and may offer biochemical evidence implicating MMP-9 in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases in blacks.     

Functional polymorphisms of matrix metallopeptidase-9 and risk of coronary artery disease in a Chinese population

Matrix metallopeptidase-9 (MMP-9) plays a pivotal role in vascular remodeling and development of atherosclerotic lesion. The potentially functional MMP-9 polymorphisms may contribute to the susceptibility of coronary artery disease (CAD). A case–control study composed of 762 CAD cases and 555 CAD-free controls was conducted in a Chinese population to investigate the association between the MMP-9 ?1562 C>T, R279Q, P574R and R668Q polymorphisms and CAD risk. It was found that the variant genotypes of R279Q, P574R and R668Q were associated with a non-significant decreased risk of CAD when compared with their wild-type genotypes, respectively, Furthermore, compared with those without any variant genotypes for these four nonsynonymouse loci, individuals carrying all four variant genotypes (?1562 CT/TT, 279 RQ/QQ, 574 PR/RR and 668 RQ/QQ) had a 51% decreased risk of CAD (adjusted OR = 0.49; 95% CI = 0.26–0.95, P = 0.033). Although no significant main effects were observed for MMP-9 ?1562 C>T locus on CAD risk, variant genotypes of ?1562 C>T were associated with a 2.53 increased risk of CAD in subjects with diabetes mellitus (DM) (95% CI = 1.18–5.45, P = 0.018). In CAD cases, variant genotypes of ?1562 C>T were associated with a significantly increased risk of MI (adjusted OR, 1.48, 95% CI, 1.01–2.20, P = 0.048). These findings suggest that MMP-9 R279Q, P574R and R668Q may have combined effect in the occurrence of CAD and ?1562 CT/TT genotypes may contribute to CAD in diabetics and MI in CAD patients.     

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 -1562 C/T polymorphism is associated with the risk of sepsis in a Chinese population: A retrospective study

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) has been shown to participate in the pathogenesis of sepsis. In this study, we recruited 312 sepsis patients and 413 controls to explore the relationship between sepsis risk and the MMP-9 -1562 C/T polymorphism in Han Chinese. The PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism method was used for genotyping. Our data indicated that the MMP-9 -1562 C/T polymorphism was related with the risk of sepsis (CT vs. CC: P = 0.033, odds ratio (OR) = 1.45, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03–2.05; TT+CT vs. CC: P = 0.019, OR = 1.49, 95% CI 1.07–2.07). Stratified analyses demonstrated that this effect was more evident in smokers, drinkers, females and overweight individuals. Furthermore, cross-over analyses suggested that the combined effect of smoking and CT genotype of -1562 C/T polymorphism contributed to the risk of sepsis. In addition, MMP-9 serum levels were significantly lower in sepsis patients than in controls. The MMP-9 -1562 C/T polymorphism was significantly associated with decreased MMP-9 serum levels. Lastly, we observed that this polymorphism was connected to the mortality of sepsis. In conclusion, the interaction between the MMP-9 -1562 C/T polymorphism and smoking correlated with the risk of sepsis in Han Chinese. This polymorphism may serve as a diagnostic marker for sepsis patients.     

Genetic polymorphism c.1562C>T of the MMP-9 is associated with macroangiopathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objective

To determine whether the matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) c.1562C>T polymorphism has an effect on the plasma MMP-9 levels and the macroangiopathic complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods

The genotypes and allelic frequencies of the MMP-9 c.1562C>T were examined with polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism in 320 patients with T2DM and 160 unrelated healthy subjects. The plasma concentrations of MMP-9 were determined in all subjects.

Results

The mean plasma concentrations of MMP-9 of patients with T2DM were significantly higher than that of controls and the plasma levels of MMP-9 were higher in diabetic patients with macroangiopathy than in patients without macroangiopathy (P < 0.05). The genotype (CC, CT, and TT) distribution of c.1562C>T polymorphism of the MMP-9 gene was 60.0%, 31.3%, and 8.8% in diabetic patients with macroangiopathy, 76.3%, 21.3%, and 2.5% in patients without macroangiopathy, and 77.5%, 21.3%, 1.3% in controls, respectively, a significant difference was found between diabetic patients with and without macroangiopathy (P < 0.05). The frequency of the allele T was higher in patients with macroangiopathy than in patients without macroangiopathy (24.4% vs 13.1%; P < 0.05). Moreover, the plasma MMP-9 levels were markedly higher in patients with TT genotype than those with CC or CT genotype in patients with macroangiopathy (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The MMP-9 c.1562C>T gene polymorphism associated with a predisposition to increased plasma MMP-9 levels could constitute a useful predictive marker for diabetic macroangiopathy.     

Association of matrix metalloproteinases-9 gene polymorphisms with genetic susceptibility to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9) plays important roles in tumor invasion and metastasis by degrading extracellular matrix components. Variations in the DNA sequence in the MMP-9 gene may lead to altered MMP-9 production and/or activity, and so this may modulate an individual's susceptibility to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). To test this hypothesis, we investigated the association of the MMP-9 polymorphisms and their haplotypes with the risk of ESCC in a Chinese population. There were significant differences in the genotype and allele distribution of P574R polymorphism of the MMP-9 gene among cases and controls. The P574R GG genotypes were associated with a significantly increased risk of ESCC as compared with the CC genotypes (odds ratio [OR] = 4.08; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.58-10.52; p = 0.00). Compared with 279R-574P haplotype, 279R-574R (OR = 3.52; 95% CI: 1.99-6.25) and 279Q-574P (OR = 2.16; 95% CI: 1.07-4.35) haplotypes can increase the onset risk of ESCC statistically, but the role of 279R-574R haplotype is more obvious. MMP-9 P574R polymorphisms and P574R-R279Q haplotype are significantly associated with the risk of ESCC. Our study shows for the first time that MMP-9 gene P574R polymorphism may contribute to a genetic risk factor for ESCC in a Chinese population.     

Is there any genetic predisposition of MMP-9 gene C1562T and MTHFR gene C677T polymorphisms with essential hypertension?

The current study was conducted to determine whether there is a relation between hypertension and two different polymorphisms, including C1562T of the Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) gene and C677T of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene. Genomic DNA obtained from 224 persons (125 patients with hypertension and 99 healthy controls) were used in the study. Polymorphisms were determined by using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and electrophoresis. The results were statistically analyzed and were found to be statistically significant. The frequencies of the C1562T genotypes were found to be, in controls CC 75.8 % and CT 24.2 % and in patients CC 71.2 %, and CT 28.8 %. The frequencies of C677T genotype were found to be, in controls CC 56.6 %, CT 38.4 and TT 5.1 % in controls and in patients CC 52 %, CT 30.4 % and TT 17.6 %. In conclusion, we may suggest that there is no relation between the essential hypertension and C1562T polymorphism of MMP-9 gene; on the other hand C677T polymorphism (genotype TT) of MTHFR gene can be regarded as a genetic indicator for the development of essential hypertension.     

Functional polymorphism located in MMP-9 gene promoter is strongly associated with obesity

The adipose tissue expansion is accompanied by remodeling of extracellular matrix performed by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Higher plasma and tissue MMP-9 levels are found in obese; therefore, we evaluated if the functional C(-1562)T polymorphism (rs3918242) located in promoter region of the MMP-9 gene is associated with obesity in women. We studied 112 lean and 114 obese women. Plasma MMP-9 and tissue inhibitor of MMP-9 (TIMP)-1 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We found different genotype frequencies between lean and obese women (p=0.008), prevailing T-allele in obese (2.3-fold). However, although obese women present higher levels of plasma MMP-9, lack of modulation by the polymorphism was found (all p>0.05). Our findings suggest that C(-1562)T polymorphism may contribute to pathogenetic mechanisms involved in the development of obesity in women.     

Update analysis of studies on the MMP-9 ?1562 C>T polymorphism and cancer risk

Polymorphisms in the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) gene have been hypothesized to be functional and may contribute to genetic susceptibility to cancers. The common sequence variation in MMP-9 ?1562 C>T (rs3918242), has been involved in cancer risk. However, results of the related published studies were somewhat controversial and underpowered in general. To clarify the role of MMP-9 ?1562 C>T genotype in global cancer, we performed a meta-analysis of all the available published studies involving 4,124 cancer patients and 4,728 control subjects. The overall results indicated that there was no major association of the variant on cancer risk. However, stratified analysis by cancer type showed that the MMP-9 ?1562 C>T polymorphism has a lower risk in colorectal cancer (OR?=?0.80, 95%CI?=?0.66?C0.96, P _{heterogeneity}?=?0.391) and lung cancer (OR?=?0.70, 95%CI?=?0.51?C0.96, P _{heterogeneity}?=?0.959) by allelic contrast. Furthermore, association of the MMP-9 ?1562 C>T polymorphism and cancer risk was also observed in hospital-based studies under the dominant genetic model (OR?=?0.87, 95%CI?=?0.78?C0.97, P _{heterogeneity}?=?0.355), allelic contrast (OR?=?0.85, 95%CI?=?0.75?C0.96, P _{heterogeneity}?=?0.271) and heterozygote comparison (OR?=?0.89, 95%CI?=?0.79?C0.99, P _{heterogeneity}?=?0.402). This pooled analysis showed evidence that the MMP-9 ?1562 C>T polymorphism may decrease both the colorectal and lung cancer risk. Further prospective studies with larger numbers of participants worldwide are required to evaluate the association in more detail.     

Polymorphisms of ECE1 May Contribute to Susceptibility to Ischemic Stroke in Han Chinese of Northern China

Endothelin (ET) converting enzyme 1 (ECE1) is well known for its critical role in the process of ET. Recent studies have demonstrated that two genetic variants of ECE1 gene, rs212528 and rs213045 (C338A), are associated with hypertension and atherosclerosis formation. To investigate the association between the ECE1 gene polymorphisms and ischemic stroke (IS) in Chinese population. With a candidate loci strategy, we conducted a case–control study involving 381 IS cases and 366 non-IS controls in Han population of the Northern China. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms of ECE1 were genotyped and assessed the association with the risk of IS. Furthermore, stratified analyses were also carried out to evaluate the association between the gender or two etiologic subtypes [small-artery occlusion (SAO) and large-artery atherosclerosis (LAA)] and IS. Compared with rs213045 G homozygote, rs213045 TG genotype and rs213045 TT/TG genotypes are in dominant model significantly increased the risk of IS [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.47, 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 1.04–2.07, P = 0.03; adjusted OR = 1.43, 95 % CI = 1.04–1.99, P = 0.029, respectively]. However, we did not find the significant association between the ECE1 gene polymorphisms and SAO or LAA of IS in this study. Our results indicated that ECE1 gene polymorphisms may contribute to the susceptibility of IS in Han population of the Northern China.     

AT2R − 1332 G:A polymorphism and its interaction with AT1R 1166 A:C,ACE I/D and MMP-9 − 1562 C:T polymorphisms: Risk factors for susceptibility to preeclampsia

The possible association of angiotensin type 2 receptor (AT2R) − 1332 G:A polymorphism with susceptibility to preeclampsia was studied in 252 women consisted of 155 women with preeclampsia and 97 healthy pregnant women. Also, the interaction of this polymorphism with angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R) 1166 A:C, angiotensin converting enzyme insertion/deletion (ACE I/D) and also with matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) − 1562 C:T polymorphism was investigated. The AT2R − 1332 G:A polymorphism was detected using PCR–RFLP method. Significantly higher frequencies of GG+GA genotype and G allele of AT2R were observed in mild (80.2%, p = 0.003 and 47.5%, p = 0.012, respectively) and severe (77.8%, p = 0.034 and 48.1%, p = 0.026, respectively) preeclampsia compared to controls (60.8% and 35.1%, respectively). The presence of G allele was associated with 1.69-fold increased risk of preeclampsia (p = 0.005). In severe preeclamptic women, systolic and diastolic blood pressures in the presence of GG+GA genotype were significantly higher compared to those in the presence of AA genotype. The concomitant presence of both alleles of AT2R G and AT1R C was associated with 1.3 times increased risk of mild preeclampsia (p = 0.03). There was an interaction between AT2R G and ACE D alleles that significantly increased the risk of mild and severe preeclampsia by 1.38- and 1.3-fold, respectively. Also, interaction between MMP-9 T and AT2R G alleles increased the risk of severe preeclampsia 1.39-fold (p = 0.028). Our study demonstrated that the G allele of AT2R − 1332 G:A polymorphism is associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia. Also, epistatic interaction of G allele and each allele of the AT1R C, ACE D and MMP-9 T was associated with the risk of preeclampsia. Our findings suggest that the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) variants and gene–gene interactions affect the risk of preeclampsia.