title: Comparative study of MMP-2 (matrix metalloproteinase 2) immune expression in normal uterine cervix, intraepithelial neoplasias, and squamous cells cervical carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was undertaken to evaluate the levels of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) in the precursors lesions and in the invasive cervical carcinoma and to quantify the immune reactive expression of MMP-2, using MMP-2 immunohistochemistry, in intraepithelial cervical neoplasias and in the invading cervical carcinoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated 60 samples of cervical tissues using immunohistochemistry for MMP-2 in 5 distinct groups. The groups were divided in control, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia I (CIN I), CIN II, CIN III, and cervical invading carcinoma.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MMP-2 expression was found gradually increased according to the degree of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical carcinoma. (Control<CIN I<CIN II<CIN III<Carcinoma)
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that the expression of MMP-2 can distinguish CIN I, II, and III grades and the invading carcinoma.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Gynecology and Pathology, Federal University of São Paulo-Escola Paulista de Medicina, SP, UNIFESP-EPM Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Angélica M
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Gaiotto
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Focchi
authors.forename: Julisa L C
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Ribalta
authors.forename: João Norberto
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Stávale
authors.forename: Edmund C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Baracat
authors.forename: Geraldo R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.forename: Ismael D C
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Guerreiro da Silva
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000473:pathology*; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000473:pathology; D046508:Culture Techniques; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000032:analysis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012016:Reference Values; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2