The Use of Serum Matrix Metalloproteinases in Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy-Related Intracerebral Hemorrhage and Cognitive Impairment

Background: Neuroimaging has played a primary role in predicting intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) recurrence of cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA); however, the utilities of biomarkers in CAA-related ICH and cognitive impairment remain unexplored. Objective: To investigate the correlations of serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), MMP-3, and MMP-9 with CAA-related MRI markers, ICH recurrence, and cognitive status. Methods: 68 cases with first probable CAA-ICH and 69 controls were recruited. Clinical and imaging data were obtained at baseline and serum MMPs in the acute phase were measured by Luminex multiplex assays. Cognitive status was assessed with the Chinese version of Mini-Mental State Examination within 10-14 days after ICH onset. Results: Serum MMP-2 level was significantly lower in CAA-ICH patients than controls while MMP-9 was significantly higher. In CAA-ICH patients, MMP-3 level was significantly associated with lobar cerebral microbleeds count after adjusting age, sex, and hypertension (adjusted coefficient 0.368, 95% CI 0.099-0.637, p = 0.008). During a median follow-up of 2.4 years, higher level of MMP-2 predicted lower CAA-ICH recurrence after adjusting age (adjusted HR 0.326, 95% CI 0.122-0.871, p = 0.025), ICH volume (adjusted HR 0.259, 95% CI 0.094-0.715, p = 0.009), total MRI burden of SVD score (adjustedHR0.350, 95% CI 0.131-0.936, p = 0.037) respectively. Besides, higher level ofMMP-2was significantly associated with decreased risk of cognitive impairment independent of age and ICH volume (adjusted OR 0.054, 95% CI 0.005-0.570, p = 0.015). Conclusion: Serum MMP-2 in acute phase might be a promising biomarker to predict CAA-ICH recurrence and to evaluate the risk of cognitive impairment.

Automated summary

This study found that serum MMP-2 levels in the acute phase may serve as a promising biomarker to predict CAA-ICH recurrence and evaluate the risk of cognitive impairment. Additionally, higher levels of MMP-2 were associated with cerebral microbleeds count and MRI burden score.