Barkhash et al.
A matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) gene single nucleotide polymorphism is associated with predisposition to tick-borne encephalitis virus-induced severe central nervous system disease.
Ticks Tick Borne Dis. 2018, in press
The susceptibility to infectious agents is influenced by several human genetic factors, and certain single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in certain genes can have an impact on the severity of an infectious disease. The authors found that a certain SNP in the MMP9 gene (coding for a metalloproteinase and located on chromosome 20) can affect a hereditary preposition to severe TBE in a Russian population. MMP9 can activate cytokines and chemokines and may play a role in the immune cell function.