[MMP-2/TIMP-2 expression in the trophoblasts of patients with gestational trophoblastic disease].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the role of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and tissue inhibitor of MMP-2 (TIMP-2) in the pathogenesis, development and prognosis of gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD).


METHODS
In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry were utilized for MMP-2/TIMP-2 mRNA and protein detection in normal chorion of women with early gestation, hydatidiform mole, invasive mole, or choricarcinoma.


RESULTS
The results revealed that specific staining for mRNA and protein of MMP-2 and the expression of TIMP-2 was reduced in normal chorion of early gestation. In GTD ranging from hydatidiform mole, invasive mole to choricarcinoma, MMP-2 expression tended to increase while TIMP-2 expression underwent an invert change. The positivity rate of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in gestational trophoblastic tumor group was higher than that of the normal chorion of early gestation group and hydatiform mole group (P<0.05 and P<0.001, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
A disrupted balance between the activation and inhibition of MMP-2 plays a critical role in the pathogenesis, progression and metastasis of GTD.
Ding
Feng
F
Postdocboral Station, Sun Yet-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China. dfsyw@sina.com
Zhang
Qiu-Shi
QS
Xing
Fu-Qi
FQ
D002822:Choriocarcinoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D031901:Gestational Trophoblastic Disease / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006828:Hydatidiform Mole / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002820:Hydatidiform Mole, Invasive / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D011247:Pregnancy; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000378:metabolism*; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2