MMP-2 -1575G/A polymorphism modifies the onset of optic neuritis as a first presenting symptom in MS?

Previous studies show altered activities of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO) patients. Optic neuritis (ON) is a common symptom of both disorders. Here we investigated the impacts of MMP-2 -1575G/A and MMP-9 -1562 C/T gene polymorphisms on disease phenotype in 100 MS patients with ON as a first symptom and 376 MS patients with other initial symptomatology. The MMP-2 -1575G/A polymorphism led to a 5-year-earlier age of disease onset in MS patients with ON as a first symptom (p=0.009).