Up regulation of MMP9 gene expression in female patients with multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory, immune-mediated, demyelinating disease of the central nervous system which disturbs cerebral vascular permeability.

Matrix metalloproteinase can increase capillary permeability and are involved in neurological diseases.

The study compared the expression level of MMP9 gene in RRMS samples with normal individuals in Iran. RNA from the buffy coat of 50 RRMS patients and 50 normal controls were extracted. All patients were HLA-DRB1*15 negative and were responders to interferon-beta with a normal vitamin D level. The level of MMP9 gene expression was measured using quantitative RT-PCR.

The RRMS patients manifested a higher expression level of MMP9 than their normal counterparts (P= 0.02). Age-wise, there was no correlation between different age groups (> 30, 30-40, 40 <). In terms of sex, only the female patients manifested a statistically significant increase in MMP9 (p value = 0.037). Besides, there was no linear correlation between MMP9 expression level and risk of Expanded Disability Status Scale of Kurtzke (EDSS); nor were there any significant correlation between expression status of MMP9 and duration of the disease.

Up regulation of MMP9 gene expression would happen in RRMS IFN-B responders, but the level of increase in female patients is significantly more than males.