[Expressions of matrix metalloproteinase 9 in mucosal natural killer/T cell and mature T cell lymphomas and its relation to Epstein-Barr virus infection].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) in mucosal natural killer/T cell and mature T cell lymphomas and its relation to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection.


METHODS
The expression of MMP9 and EBV-encoded RNA (EBER) were detected by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization in 59 cases of mucosal natural killer/T cell and mature T cell lymphomas.


RESULTS
The positivity rates of MMP9 and EBERs were 83.05% and 72.88% respectively. The positivity rate of EBERs was correlated with histopathological subtype (P<0.05), but not with clinical stage, vascular invasion or the patients' survival time (P>0.05). The expression level of MMP9 was not correlated with the clinical stage, vascular invasion or survival time (P>0.05). No significant correlation was found between MMP9 expression and EBV infection.


CONCLUSIONS
EBV may play an important role in the development of mucosal natural killer/T cell and mature T cell lymphomas and promote disease progression by up-regulating MMP9 expression indirectly. Elimination of EBV infection may be helpful to prevent the development of lymphoma.
Feng
Zhi-ying
ZY
Department of Pathology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China.
Mo
Xiang-lan
XL
Shao
Chun-Kui
CK
Su
Zu-lan
ZL
D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D016399:Lymphoma, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism*; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D055611:Natural Killer T-Cells / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology
D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9