[Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2, 9 and their inhibitor-TIMP 1,2 in human squamous cell carcinoma of uterine cervix].
OBJECTIVE
Studies of tumor invasion and metastasis have focused on the degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM). Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which could degrade ECM, were implicated in cancer invasion and metastasis. Activated MMPs were controlled by specific tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). This study was designed to investigate the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-1, TIMP-2 in human squamous cell carcinomas of uterine cervix, and the association with invasion and metastasis of human squamous cell carcinoma of uterine cervix.


METHODS
Tissue samples from 40 cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix, 29 cases of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), and 16 cases of normal cervices were stained immunohistochemically.


RESULTS
Immunohistochemical staining of tumor cells for MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 were noted 82.5%, 70.0%, 62.5%, and 97.5% in carcinomas, 44.8%, 62.1%, 86.21%, and 96.55% in CIN lesions respectively, for MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1 in 25.0% normal cervices, but for TIMP-2 in 56.25% normal cervices. There was significant difference for MMP-2 among carcinomas, normal cervices, and CIN respectively (P < 0.01). There was significant difference for MMP-9 among normal cervices, carcinomas, and CIN, respectively (P < 0.05). The positive rates of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in the cervical carcinoma group and CIN group were obviously higher than that in normal cervical group(P < 0.01). The positive rates of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in lymph node metastasis were obviously higher than that in without lymph node metastasis(P < 0.01), but for TIMP-2 was contrary and there was no significant difference for TIMP-1. No significant correlation could be established among the expression of these markers and the tumor diameter, the clinical stage, and pathologic grade.


CONCLUSIONS
The over-expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 may play a key role in invasion and lymph-node metastasis of in squamous carcinoma of the cervix.
Zhou
Cai-yun
CY
Woman's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310006, P. R. China. zhoucy02@sohu.com
Yao
Ji-fen
JF
Chen
Xiao-duan
XD
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism
D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9