DNA ploidy analysis and expression of MMP-9, TIMP-2, and E-cadherin in gastric carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate DNA ploidy and expression of MMP-9, TIMP-2, and E-cadherin in gastric carcinoma and to explore the mechanism of invasion and metastasis of gastric carcinoma.


METHODS
Immunohistochemical methods were used to detect the expressions of MMP-9, TIMP-2, and E-cadherin in 156 cases, including 99 cases of gastric carcinoma, 16 cases of adjacent noncancerous mucosa, 16 cases of distant metastases and 25 cases of metastatic lymph node (LN) from gastric carcinoma. Flow cytometry DNA ploidy and S-phase fraction (SPF) analysis were performed on 57 cases, including 47 cases of gastric cancer, 6 cases of adjacent noncancerous mucosa, and 4 cases of distant metastatic cancer.


RESULTS
The expression of MMP-9 was significantly correlated with Lauren's classification, Borrmann's classification, LN metastasis, tumor metastasis, and TNM stage, as well as depth of invasion (all P<0.05). The positive rate was lower in noncarcinoma than in carcinoma (31.3% vs 66.7%, P<0.01). The expression of TIMP-2 was significantly correlated with Borrmann's classification, LN metastasis, and the depth of invasion (all P<0.05). The expression of E-cadherin was significantly correlated with differentiation, Lauren's classification, Borrmann's classification, and LN metastasis, as well as the depth of invasion (P<0.01 or P<0.05). E-cadherin was less expressed in carcinoma than in noncarcinoma (42.4% vs 87.5%, P<0.01). There was a positive correlation between MMP-9 and TIMP-2 and a negative correlation between MMP-9 and E-cadherin, but no correlation between TIMP-2 and E-cadherin. Also there was a positive correlation between DNA aneuploid rate and differentiation and LN metastasis. SPF that was higher than 15% was positively correlated with tumor size, differentiation and LN metastasis. And there was a significant difference between carcinoma and noncarcinoma in DNA aneuploid rate and SPF.


CONCLUSIONS
With tumor progression and development of heterogeneity, the abnormal expressions of MMP-9, TIMP-2, and E-cadherin or DNA aneuploid rate or high SPF gradually increases, suggesting that they play a crucial role in gastric carcinoma progression.
Zhang
Jing-Fang
JF
Department of Pathology, Taishan Medical University, Taian 271000, Shandong Province, China.
Zhang
Yuan-Ping
YP
Hao
Feng-Yun
FY
Zhang
Cai-Xin
CX
Li
Yu-Jun
YJ
Ji
Xiang-Rui
XR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011003:Ploidies; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000145:classification / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics*; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 / Q000378:metabolism*
D015820:Cadherins; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9