Association between the MMP-9-1562 C>T polymorphism and the risk of stroke: a meta-analysis

Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 so far is identified as extremely large and complicated MMP family member. Recently, dozens of studies have explored the association between a promoter polymorphism (-1562 C > T) in MMP-9 and stroke susceptibility. However, the conclusions of these studies still remain equivocal. Therefore, our current meta-analysis was conducted to investigate whether or not the MMP-9 promoter polymorphism is related to the risk of stroke. Electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database) were searched to obtain all the available studies investigating this polymorphism and stroke from inception to October 2013. Overall and subgroup analyses were rigorously conducted after data extraction. Pooled odds ratio (OR) corresponding to 95 % confidence interval (CI) were estimated. The statistical analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.2. Totally, seven studies involving 1,624 cases and 1,525 controls were identified. The overall results suggested that there was no association of the C-1562T variant on stroke risk under the T allele versus C allele [OR (T vs. C) 0.98, 95 % CI (0.84, 1.15), P = 0.84], the dominant model [OR (TT+TC vs. CC) 0.95, 95 % CI (0.81, 1.13), P = 0.59], the recessive model [OR (TT vs. TC+CC) 1.55, 95 % CI (0.86, 2.81), P = 0.15], the homozygote comparison [OR (TT vs. CC) 1.48, 95 % CI (0.82, 2.68), P = 0.20] and the heterozygote comparison [OR (TC vs. CC) 0.93, 95 % CI (0.78, 1.10), P = 0.38]. In the subgroup analyses by ethnicity, age, stroke type and source of controls, no significant relations were observed in any genetic models. Our results indicated that MMP-9-1562 C > T polymorphism was not a risk factor for stroke. Further studies should focus on gene-gene and gene-environment interactions, and provide a more convincing explanation for this association.