Genetic Analysis of MMP-2 and MMP-3 Polymorphisms Reveals the Association of MMP-3 rs522616 with Susceptibility to Persistent Apical Periodontitis

<b>Objective</b>: The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of polymorphic variants in matrix metalloproteinase-2 (<i>MMP-2</i>) and matrix metalloproteinase-3 (<i>MMP-3</i>) genes and the occurrence of persistent apical periodontitis (PAP). <b>Methods</b>: DNA samples from 180 individuals were recruited and divided into two groups: Case group, 79 subjects with a history of PAP; control group, 101 healthy subjects. Five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were selected for genotyping: rs243865, rs2285053, and rs2287074 in the <i>MMP-2</i> gene, and rs679620 and rs522616 in the <i>MMP-3</i> gene. The chi-square test or Exact Fisher (<i>p</i> < 0.05) and Odds Ratio (CI = 95%) were used to compare the frequencies of genotypes and alleles between the two groups. <b>Results</b>: A positive association was found for the <i>MMP-3</i> rs522616 AG genotype (<i>p</i> = 0.025), the AG + GG genotypes (<i>p</i> = 0.015), and the G allele (<i>p</i> = 0.016) with PAP. <b>Conclusions</b>: The <i>MMP-3</i> variant rs522616 was associated with PAP. Similar studies are needed analyzing other genes involved in extracellular matrix dynamics under inflammatory conditions to clarify the role of the genetic factors of PAP.