title: Expressions of MMP-2, MMP-9 and VEGF are closely linked to growth, invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis of gastric carcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gastric carcinoma is still a major leading cause of cancer death in East Asia. Since angiogenesis is a necessary condition for invasion and metastasis, its regulation is of essential significance.
  
  
  METHODS
  Expressions of MMP-2, MMP-9 and VEGF were examined with microarray of gastric carcinoma tissue samples (n = 249) by immunostaining. In addition, microvessel density (MVD) was assessed after labelling with the anti-CD34 antibody. Data were cross-compared with clinicopathological parameters of tumors, including PTEN expression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Expressions of MMP-2, MMP-9 and VEGF were positively correlated with tumour size, depth of invasion, lymphatic and venous invasion, lymph node metastasis, UICC staging and MVD of gastric carcinomas (p < 0.05).VEGF expression was positively linked with levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 (p < 0.05), but negatively with PTEN (p < 0.05). The latter was also inversely associated with the MVD in gastric carcinomas (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MMP-2, MMP-9 and VEGF largely contribute to the angiogenesis and progression of gastric carcinomas. PTEN might inhibit the processes by down-regulating VEGF expression. These parameters should be regarded as good markers to indicate pathobiological behaviours of gastric carcinomas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Toyama, Sugitani 2630, Toyama, Japan.
authors.forename: Huachuan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: Yoshihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Murai
authors.forename: Zhengguo
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.forename: Kazuhiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nomoto
authors.forename: Hideki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Niwa
authors.forename: Koichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tsuneyama
authors.forename: Yasuo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Takano
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000556:secondary; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008833:Microcirculation; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000473:pathology*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D051059:PTEN Phosphohydrolase / Q000378:metabolism; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D046888:Tissue Array Analysis; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D051059:PTEN Phosphohydrolase; C494929:PTEN protein, human; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9