Expression of matrix metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9 in gastric cancer and their relation to claudin-4 expression.
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) MMP-2 and MMP-9 can degrade type IV collagen of extracellular matrix and basal membranes. Claudin-4 is a member of a large family of transmembrane proteins, claudins, essential in the formation and maintenance of tight junctions. Claudin-4 has been shown to activate MMP-2, indicating that claudin-mediated increased cancer cell invasion might be mediated through the activation of MMP proteins. To explore the roles of MMP-2, MMP-9 and claudin-4 in gastric cancer, we selected 88 cases and then analyzed the expression of these proteins using immunohistochemistry. We found that all of MMP-2, MMP-9 and claudin-4 expressions were significantly higher in intestinal-type than in diffuse-type gastric cancer. On further analysis, testing the relationship between MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression with claudin-4 expression, claudin-4 expression was significantly associated with MMP-9 expression, but not with MMP-2 expression. The results showed that MMP-2, MMP-9 and claudin-4 expression may be phenotypic features, distinguishing intestinal-type and diffuse-type gastric cancer. Possibly, claudin-4 played a role in determining MMP-9 activity which favored intestinal-type gastric cancer to distal metastasis.
Lee
Li-Yu
LY
Department of Pathology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan.
Wu
Chi-Ming
CM
Wang
Chee-Chan
CC
Yu
Jau-Song
JS
Liang
Ying
Y
Huang
Kuo-Hao
KH
Lo
Chih-Hong
CH
Hwang
Tsann-Long
TL
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000556:secondary; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D062506:Claudin-4; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C568157:CLDN4 protein, human; D062506:Claudin-4; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9