title: Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (mmp-2) in cervical neoplasia - immunohistochemical and in-situ hybridization studies.
abstract: The expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2, type IV collagenase, 72 kDa) in 47 cervical precancerous and cancerous lesions were localised by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical studies. MMP-2 mRNA was present in the stromal cells surrounding invasive cells in the majority of squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas. In contrast, MMP-2 immunoreactivity was found in the epithelial cells. Our results indicate that there may be some interaction between carcinoma cells and stromal cells to produce MMP-2 which may contribute to the destruction of the extracellular matrix in invasive cervical carcinomas.
authors.affiliation: KURUME UNIV,SCH MED,DEPT GYNECOL & OBSTET,KURUME,FUKUOKA 830,JAPAN.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ota
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Miyajima
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nakashima
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morimatsu
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yakushiji