[Expression of MMPPs and TIMP and invasiveness in pituitary adenomas].
OBJECTIVE
To detect the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-2 in pituitary tumors and to explore the relationship among the expressions of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-2 and invasiveness of pituitary adenomas.


METHODS
The expressions of MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-2 were determined in invasive pituitary adenomas (n=20) and non-invasive pituitary adenomas (n=10) by using immunohistochemical method and comparative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The correlation between expressions of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-2 and tumor invasiveness were studied.


RESULTS
Compared with the non-invasive pituitary, expressions of MMP-9 significantly increased (P < 0.01). TIMP-2 expression decreased in invasive pituitary adenomas (P < 0.01). There was a reverse correlation between MMP-2 and TIMP-2 at mRNA level.


CONCLUSIONS
Invasive pituitary tumors are related to the high expression of MMPs and low expression of TIMP-2, suggesting that the expression of MMA-9 and TIMP-2 can be used as an index of evaluating invasive pituitary tumors.
Wang
Jian
J
Departnent of Neurosurgery, Second Affiated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical College, Guangzhou 510260, China. wangjianet@hotmail.com
Liu
Yun-sheng
YS
D000236:Adenoma / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9