mmp3 -1171 5a/6a promoter polymorphism affects level of serum major histocompatibility complex class chain related b in breast cancer patients

Background and aims: involvement of matrix metalloproteinases 3 (mmp3) in breast cancer tumor progression and metastasis has been revealed. mmp3 -1171 5a/6a and 5a/5a polymorphisms in the gene promoter increase expression of the enzyme. the possible relationship of these polymorphisms and serum levels of major histocompatibility complex class i chain-related protein a and b (mica/b) in breast cancer patients was goal of the study. materials and methods: in this case-control study, 105 breast cancer patients and 100 age-matched healthy women were selected. the mmp3-1171 5a/6a polymorphism was determined by nested and restriction fragment length polymorphism polymerase chain reaction. concentration of micb and mica in serum of breast cancer patients has measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. results: our results showed that 5a/5a + 6a/5a genotypes in the breast cancer group (77.18%) were more frequent compared to healthy participants (64%). however, the frequency of mmp3 -1171 5a/6a genotypes in the breast cancer patients and healthy donors was similar. additionally, in the patients with 5a/6a genotypes, the mean of micb concentration was 51.3±16 pg/ml whereas; in the homozygote 6a/6a genotype, it was 4.7±2.6 pg/ml. statistical analysis confirmed a significant difference between mmp3 -1171 5a/6a and serum micb levels in the patients (p=0.02). based on our results mmp3-1171 5a/6a polymorphism did not alter mica concentration in the patients (p=0.15) conclusions: the mmp3 -1171 5a/6a genotype might be associated with shedding of micb in breast cancer patients.