Matrix metalloproteinases-3 (MMP-3) serum level and genetic polymorphisms associated with rheumatoid arthritis

Introduction. MMP-3 plays a crucial role in the process of bone erosion in the pathomechanism of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It acts by removing the outer osteoid layer, which allows the osteoclasts to tightly connect and carry out the subsequent damage to the underlying bone. MMP-3 can trigger the production of other MMPs like MMP-1, MMP-7, and MMP-9, it plays a pivotal role in the remodeling of connective tissues. Aim of the study: to assess the influence of MMP-3 serum levels and single-nucleotide polymorphisms of rs679620 in the rheumatoid arthritis patients’ group in comparison to the control group. Subjects: eighty eight samples, 45 rheumatoid arthritis patients after being referred by their treating physician for regular RA test. The remaining 43 samples all represent apparently healthy people. The present study investigated the serum concentration of MMP-3 and rs679620 SNPs in the group of patients with RA, in comparison to the control group. Results. The results indicated a significant elevation in MMP-3 levels in RA patients in comparison to healthy individuals (12.75±0.38 vs 9.69±0.37) and the findings of rs679620 SNPs appeared that the patient group has a non-significant increase in both allele frequency A and genotype frequency AA when compared to the control group (66.2 vs 52.2%; p = 0.172; OR = 1.79 and 35.3 vs 17.4%; p = 0.229; OR = 2.59), but a non-significant decrease in both allele frequency C and genotype frequency CC when compared to the control group (2.94 vs 4.4%; p = 1.0; OR = 0.67 and 2.9 vs 4.3%; p = 1.0; OR = 0.67), as well as a non-significant decrease in allele frequency G and both genotypes frequency GG and AG when compared to the control group (30.9 vs 43.5%; p = 0.233; OR = 0.58, 0.0 vs 8.7%; p = 0.159; OR = 0.12 and 61.8 vs 69.6%; p = 0.585; OR = 0.71). Patients carrying the AA and AG genotype, had significantly higher serum levels of MMP-3 compared to control (P = 0.005 and 0.004) respectively. Conclusion. Rs679620 may influence joint destruction via increase MMP-3 production.