Immunohistochemical expression of matrix metalloproteinases in squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue and lower lip.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of MMP-1, -2, -7, -9 and -26 in oral squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) according to tumour site and histological grade of malignancy.


METHODS
Fifteen cases of SCC of the lower lip and 15 cases of tongue SCC were selected and divided into low grade malignancy (n = 17) and high grade malignancy (n = 13).


RESULTS
Higher immunohistochemical expression of MMPs by neoplastic cells was observed in tongue SCCs, with a statistically significant difference for MMP-9 (P < 0.05). High-grade SCCs showed a higher expression of MMPs, except for MMP-2, with a statistically significant difference for MMP-7 (P < 0.05) and MMP-26 (P < 0.05). In addition, a direct association was observed between morphological scores of malignancy and MMP immunoreactivity, with the association being significant for MMP-7 and MMP-26.


CONCLUSIONS
The present results demonstrate the important role of MMPs in the development of SCCs of the lower lip and tongue.
Department of Pathology and Clinical Dentistry, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina, PI, Brazil.
Simone Souza Lobão Veras
SS
Barros
Águida Cristina Gomes
ÁC
Henriques
Karuza Maria Alves
KM
Pereira
Ana Myriam Costa
AM
de Medeiros
Hébel Cavalcanti
HC
Galvão
Roseana de Almeida
Rde A
Freitas
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology*; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007249:Inflammation / Q000473:pathology; D007633:Keratins / Q000032:analysis; D008048:Lip Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 / Q000032:analysis; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000032:analysis; D020783:Matrix Metalloproteinase 7 / Q000032:analysis; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000032:analysis; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000032:analysis*; D053505:Matrix Metalloproteinases, Secreted / Q000032:analysis; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000473:pathology; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*
D007633:Keratins; C410599:MMP26 protein, human; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases; D053505:Matrix Metalloproteinases, Secreted; C060932:MMP7 protein, human; D020783:Matrix Metalloproteinase 7; C522361:MMP2 protein, human; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; C522360:MMP1 protein, human; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1