The G allele of MMP12 -82 A > G promoter polymorphism as a protective factor for COPD in Bulgarian population

Abstract

Chronic inflammation and remodelling of the small airways are features related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In the current study, we aimed to explore the possible role of MMP12 -82 A > G (rs2276109) promoter polymorphism in the development of COPD in a population from Bulgaria (167 patients with COPD and 119 control individuals).

The genotype and allele distributions differed significantly between COPD patients and controls (p = .010 and p = .043, respectively, χ² test). The genotypes containing at least one variant G allele (AA + GG) were more frequent in the control group than in patients (36.1% vs. 22.2%) determining 2.96-fold lower risk for COPD after adjustment for age, sex and smoking habits (OR = 0.338, 95%CI: 0.168–0.682, p = .002).

Our results suggest that carriers of genotypes with at least one copy of minor G allele of rs2276109 might have lower risk for COPD development, with no marked effect on the lung function and severity of the disease.

Keywords:

• COPD
• MMP
• polymorphism
• risk
• case–control study

Acknowledgements

This work was performed with the support of projects 4/2014 and 4/2016, MF, Trakia University, Bulgaria, and COST Action CA15129 “Diagnosis, Monitoring and Prevention of Exposure-Related Noncommunicable Diseases (DiMoPEx).”

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.