MMP-2 and MMP-9 gene polymorphisms act as biological indicators for ulinastatin efficacy in patients with severe acute pancreatitis

Predictive value of respiratory mechanics for the risk of unilateral pulmonary edema following minimally invasive cardiac surgery: An observational study

This study aimed to investigate the predictive effect of static lung compliance (SLC) and airway resistance (AR) in patients undergoing minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) with unilateral pulmonary edema (UPE). A total of 245 patients who underwent MICS via cardiopulmonary bypass and minimal right lateral thoracic incision port access were enrolled, with immediate postoperative SLC and AR data collected upon intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Cutoff values for grouping patients into high (H-) and low (L-) compliance/resistance categories were determined using receiver-operating characteristic curves and Youden indexes. The primary outcome was the incidence of radiographically and clinically defined UPE within the first 24 hours postoperatively, while the secondary outcomes included duration of mechanical ventilation, length of ICU stay, total hospitalization days, in-hospital mortality, and the highest sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) and acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE-II) scores within the first 24 hours post-surgery. Results showed that patients in the L-compliance group (SLC < 40 mL/cmH2O) had longer durations of mechanical ventilation, length of ICU stay, and total hospitalization days, along with higher SOFA and APACHE-II scores compared to those in the H-compliance group (SLC ≥ 40 mL/cmH2O) (P < .05), although there was no significant difference in in-hospital mortality. Conversely, patients in the H-resistance group (AR ≥ 11 cm H2O/[L·s]) exhibited longer durations of mechanical ventilation, length of ICU stay, and total hospitalization days, as well as significantly higher SOFA, APACHE-II scores, but lower in-hospital mortality rates than those in the L-resistance group (AR < 11 cm H2O/[L·s]) (P < .05). In summary, immediate postoperative SLC < 40 mL/cm H2O and AR > 11 cm H2O/(L·s) are potentially valuable indicators for predicting postoperative UPE in patients undergoing MICS.

MicroRNA-Based Markers of Oral Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Buccal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background Oral cancers, including oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC) and buccal squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC), are known to be widespread and can progress aggressively within the oral cavity. Objective The primary aim of this study is to identify microRNA (miRNA)-based markers for OTSCC and BSCC. Materials and methods This observational study was conducted at Northampton General Hospital from January 2024 to December 2024. A total of 150 patients were recruited, and clinical and demographic data were collected, including age, gender, smoking and alcohol consumption history, tumor stage, and grade. Patients were randomly assigned to either the OTSCC or BSCC group using a computer-generated random sequence. Tumor tissue samples from both groups were obtained through biopsy or surgical resection for miRNA analysis. Results Data were collected from 150 patients, with a mean age of 55.4 years, slightly higher in the BSCC group. Males comprised 60% of the cohort, and smoking history was more prevalent in BSCC (73.3%) than in OTSCC (66.7%). Advanced tumor stages (III-IV) were predominant in both groups (61.3% overall), while comorbidities and a family history of cancer were observed in 36.7% and 22.0% of patients, respectively. MiR-21 demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy (area under the curve >0.90) and was independently associated with poor survival outcomes in both cancer types (p < 0.001). Functional analyses linked these miRNAs to key oncogenic pathways, including cell proliferation and metastasis. Conclusions miRNA-based markers, particularly miR-21, show significant potential for enhancing the diagnosis and prognosis of OTSCC and BSCC. Further studies are required to validate these findings and investigate their therapeutic applications.

Association between matrix metalloproteinase-9-1562C/T gene polymorphism and MMP-9 serum level in rheumatoid arthritis

BACKGROUND

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease indicated by joint inflammation and cartilage destruction. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) enzymes play an influential role in inflammation by affecting the invasion and degradation of anatomical barriers. In this way, the current study investigated the relationship between the MMP-9-1562C/T gene polymorphism and this enzyme's serum level in RA.

METHODS

The serum levels of MMP-9 in RA patients and healthy controls were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RA was confirmed using rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP), and C-reactive protein (CRP). Then the MMP-9-1562C/T gene polymorphism was analyzed utilizing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Also, multivariate analysis investigated the connection between this polymorphism and the risk of RA.

RESULTS

In this study, the increase of MMP-9 in patients due to the development of single nucleotide polymorphism in the promoter region of this gene (-1562 C→T) was confirmed by increasing the frequency of heterozygous genotype (CT). Logistic regression analysis also demonstrated that the chance of development of RA is higher in people with CT/CC genotype than in other alleles.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated that MMP-9-1562C/T gene polymorphism can play a significant role in the occurrence of RA.

Genetic Variants in Matrix Metalloproteinases MMP3 (rs3025058) and MMP9 (rs3918242) Associated with Colonic Diverticulosis

Background and Objectives: Diverticulosis affects a significant portion of the elderly population, with age and lifestyle being established risk factors. Additionally, genetic predisposition is gaining recognition as a contributing factor. This pilot study sought to explore the frequency of genetic variants in matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) 3, 9, and 12 in a population of colonic diverticulosis patients. Materials and Methods: The study encompassed 134 participants: 59 diagnosed with colon diverticulosis during colonoscopy and 75 healthy controls. The cases and controls were meticulously matched in terms of age and gender. We assessed the distribution of genetic variants MMP3 rs3025058, MMP9 rs3918242, and MMP12 rs2276109 using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragments length polymorphism technique. Results: The MMP9 rs3918242 allele T was notably more frequent in individuals with diverticulosis when compared with the control group (p < 0.03). Furthermore, it was associated with dominant (OR = 2.62; 95% CI: 1.24-5.56; p < 0.01) and co-dominant (OR = 2.10; 95% CI: 1.06-4.13; p < 0.03) genetic models. The MMP3 rs3025058 5A/5A genotype was nearly twice as frequent in patients with diverticulosis, while the 6A/6A genotype was only half as common in this group. Conversely, no significant correlation was established between MMP12 rs2276109 and colonic diverticulosis. Conclusions: Our study offers the first insight into a potential connection between genetic variants in MMPs and colon diverticulosis. Specifically, allele T of MMP9 rs3918242 and allele 5A of MMP3 rs3025058 appear to be linked to this condition. These findings indirectly suggest a role for extracellular matrix proteins in the pathogenesis of diverticulosis.

Impact of maternal physical exercise on inflammatory and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis markers in the brain and lungs of prenatally stressed neonatal mice

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of maternal exercise on alterations induced by prenatal stress in markers of the inflammatory process and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in the brain and lungs of neonatal mice. Female Balb/c mice were divided into three groups: control, prenatal restraint stress, prenatal restraint stress and physical exercise before and during the gestational period. On day 0 (PND0) and 10 (PND10), mice were euthanized for brain and lung analyses. The gene expression of GR, MR, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF in the brain and lungs and the protein expression of MMP-2 in the lungs were analyzed. Maternal exercise reduced IL-6 and IL-10 gene expression in the brain of PND0 mice. Prenatal stress and maternal exercise decreased GR, MR, IL-6, and TNF gene expression in the lungs of PND0 mice. In the hippocampus of PND10 females, exercise inhibited the effects of prenatal stress on the expression of MR, IL-6, and IL-10. In the lungs of PND10 females, exercise prevented the decrease in GR expression caused by prenatal stress. In the hippocampus and lungs of PND10 males, prenatal stress decreased GR gene expression. Our findings confirm the effects induced by prenatal stress and demonstrate that physical exercise before and during the gestational period may have a protective role on inflammatory changes.

Study on the Relationship between MMP-2, MMP-9 Gene Polymorphisms, and the Risk of Colorectal Cancer

Objective

The aim of the study is to explore the relationship between matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) gene polymorphisms and the risk of colorectal cancer.

Methods

From January 2019 to December 2021, 308 patients with colorectal cancer in our hospital were selected to be included in the colorectal cancer group and 300 normal healthy people were included in the control group. We perform genotyping, compare the genotype frequencies between the colorectal cancer group and the control group, calculate the relationship between MMP-2 and MMP-9 gene polymorphisms and disease risk, and analyze the genotype distribution characteristics of colorectal cancer patients with different pathological stages and lymph node metastasis status. The expression levels of serum MMP-2 and MMP-9 in patients with different genotypes were compared.

Results

The frequency of CC genotype and C gene at the MMP-2 gene−735 (C/T) locus in the colorectal cancer group was higher than that of the control group, and the frequency of TT genotype and T gene at MMP-9 gene−1562 (C/T) locus was a higher control group (P < 0.05). The comparison of genotype and gene frequency distribution of MMP-2 gene−1306 (C/T), −790 (T/G), and MMP-9 gene R668Q and P574R between the colorectal cancer group and the control group (P > 0.05); MMP-2 gene−735 (C/T) locus CC genotype and MMP-9 gene−1562 (C/T) locus TT genotype are dangerous genotypes for colorectal cancer. OR values were 1.490 (95% CI: 1.085–2.047), 1.519 (95% CI: 1.061–2.174); TNM stage III-IV, the proportion of CC genotype and TT genotype at MMP-9 gene−1562 (C/T) locus in patients with lymph node metastasis is higher than that without lymph node metastasis of TNM stage I-II patients (P < 0.05); MMP-2 gene in colorectal cancer patients. Serum MMP-2 levels in patients with CC genotype at 735 (C/T) locus were higher than those with CT + TT genotype, and serum MMP-9 levels in patients with TT genotype at MMP-9 gene−1562 (C/T) locus were higher CT + CC genotype patients (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The CC genotype at −735 (C/T) locus of the MMP-2 gene and the TT genotype at−1562 (C/T) locus of the MMP-9 gene are risk genotypes for the development of colorectal cancer.

Matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in pediatric severe acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is increasing in incidence in adult and pediatric patients. Identification of patients at high risk for progression to severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is crucial, as it can lead to increased mortality and health system cost. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are endopeptidases which degrade extracellular matrix proteins and increase activity of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) regulate MMP activity. Prior limited studies of MMPs and TIMPs have found some to be associated with development of SAP. The aim of this study was to further investigate the role of MMPs and TIMPs in detecting pediatric patients at risk for developing moderately severe AP or SAP.

METHODS

Plasma samples were prospectively collected for patients <21 years of age presenting with AP between November 2015 and October 2019, along with healthy controls. Bead-based multiplex assays were utilized to test levels of 12 MMPs and TIMPs.

RESULTS

Samples were collected from 7 subjects who developed SAP, 7 with moderately severe AP, 45 with mild AP and 44 healthy controls. MMP-9 (p = 0.04) and TIMP-1 (p = 0.01) levels were significantly higher in SAP patients. A multivariable logistic regression model using MMP-9 and TIMP-1 predicted SAP (AUROC 0.87, 95% CI 0.76-0.98).

CONCLUSION

We have demonstrated that MMP9 and TIMP1 levels are increased at AP presentation in pediatric patients who developed SAP during the course of illness. Further studies are needed to validate the use of MMPs and TIMPs as predictive tools for development of SAP in pediatric pancreatitis.

Association of the functionally significant polymorphisms of the MMP9 gene with H. pylori-positive gastric ulcer in the Caucasian population of Central Russia

Background and purpose

The study analyzed the association of functionally significant polymorphisms of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) genes with the development of gastric ulcer (GU) in Caucasians from Central Russia.

Methods

The 781 participants, including 434 patients with GU (196 Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-positive and 238 H. pylori-negative) and 347 controls (all H. pylori-negative) were recruited for the study. Ten SNPs of the MMP1 (rs1799750), MMP2 (rs243865), MMP3 (rs679620), MMP8 (rs1940475), and MMP9 (rs3918242, rs3918249, rs3787268, rs17576, rs17577, and rs2250889) genes were considered for association with GU using multiple logistic regression. The SNPs associated with GU and loci linked (r²≥0.8) to them were analyzed in silico for their functional assignments.

Results

The SNPs of the MMP9 gene were associated with H. pylori-positive GU: alleles C of rs3918249 (OR = 2.02, p_perm = 0.008) and A of rs3787268 (OR = 1.60–1.82, p_perm ≤ 0.016), and eight haplotypes of all studied MMP9 gene SNPs (OR = 1.85–2.04, p_perm ≤ 0.016) increased risk for H. pylori-positive GU. None of the analyzed SNPs was independently associated with GU and H. pylori-negative GU. Two haplotypes of the MMP9 gene (contributed by rs3918242, rs3918249, rs17576, and rs3787268) increased risk for GU (OR = 1.62–1.65, p_perm ≤ 0.006). Six loci of the MMP9 gene, which are associated with H. pylori-positive GU, and 65 SNPs linked to them manifest significant epigenetic effects, have pronounced eQTL (17 genes) and sQTL (6 genes) values.

Conclusion

SNPs of the MMP9 were associated with H. pylori-positive GU but not with H. pylori-negative GU in Caucasians of Central Russia.