Matrix metalloproteinase-2 gene polymorphisms in nasal polyps.

OBJECTIVE To systematically investigate the role of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2) tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and promoter functional polymorphism in the development of nasal polyps in a Chinese population in Taiwan. DESIGN We conducted a case-control study in 136 cases of chronic rhinosinusitis with bilateral nasal polyps and 136 controls. Seventeen SNPs were selected, including 16 tagging SNPs and 1 promoter functional SNP. The genotypes were determined by TaqMan technology. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was tested for each SNP, and genetic effects were evaluated according to 3 modes of inheritance. Subset analysis based on the recurrence of nasal polyps was also performed. SETTING Medical university center hospital. RESULTS All 17 SNPs were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. When comparing the patients with recurrent nasal polyps and controls, none of the SNPs reached the significant level of P < .05 except rs857403. The AT genotype of rs857403 had an adjusted odds ratio of 2.07 (95% confidence interval, 1.09-3.95) (P = .03). However, the result became nonsignificant after including an additional 691 controls. Therefore, we considered that the initial significance was a false-positive finding. Neither haplotype analysis nor subset analysis yielded any significant result. CONCLUSION The MMP2 gene does not play a crucial role in conferring risk for nasal polyps in a Taiwanese population.