Expression of membrane type I-matrix metalloproteinase in oral squamous cell carcinoma.
A local invasion and lymph node metastasis (LNM) of an oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has a poor prognosis, and involves the degradation of the extracellular matrix mediated by multiple proteolytic enzymes including membrane type I-matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP). This study aimed to determine the role of MT1-MMP in OSCC, to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of MT1-MMP with regard to the invasiveness and LNM of the OSCC, and to evaluate the major source of MT1-MMP mRNA and its protein using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. MT1-MMP expression was examined in 46 OSCCs via immunohistochemistry and non-radioisotope in situ hybridization. The relationship between MT1-MMP expression and LNM, as well as the histological invasiveness, was statistically analyzed. The results showed that whereas 12 out of the 18 OSCCs (66.7%) with LNM showed moderate to strong MT1-MMP expression, only nine of the 28 OSCCs (32.1%) without LNM expressed MT1-MMP strongly. MT1-MMP expression was significantly higher with regard to LNM (P=0.022). As the invasion grade became stronger (from grade a to grade d), MT1-MMP was significantly more strongly expressed (P=0.033). These results suggest that MT1-MMP is primarily secreted in the OSCC cells and is involved in the invasiveness of the OSCC and LNM. Moreover, MT1-MMP combined with other markers may be used to predict the metastatic potential of an OSCC.
Myoung
Hoon
H
Department of Oral Pathology, Dental Research Institute, College of Dentistry, Seoul National University, 28-2 Yeongun-Dong, Chongno-Ku, 110-749, Seoul, South Korea.
Kim
Myung-Jin
MJ
Hong
Seong-Doo
SD
Lee
Jae-Il
JI
Lim
Chang-Yun
CY
Hong
Sam-Pyo
SP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D004790:Enzyme Induction; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D053504:Matrix Metalloproteinases, Membrane-Associated; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness
D053504:Matrix Metalloproteinases, Membrane-Associated; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases