title: Evaluation of matrix metalloproteinases-2 (MMP-2) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2) in oral submucous fibrosis and their correlation with disease severity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF), a potentially malignant oral lesion, is a form of pathological fibrosis affecting the oral mucosa. It results from an imbalance in equilibrium of the normal process of synthesis and degradation of extra cellular matrix. Matrix metalloproteinases and its inhibitors play important role in remodeling of the extra cellular matrix which are important in progression and pathogenesis of potentially malignant lesions to malignancy.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the expression and distribution of Matrix metalloproteinases-2 (MMP- 2) and Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2) in different grades of Oral Submucous Fibrosis(OSF).
  
  
  METHODS
  Immunohistochemical analysis for MMP-2 and its TIMP-2 was performed in 30 histopathologically confirmed, formalin fixed, paraffin embedded specimens of OSF. A semi-quantitative analysis was done to assess the expression, distribution and comparison of these in various stages of this disease.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All moderately advanced cases and 64.2% for MMP-2 and 78.5% for TIMP-2 of early stage cases showed positivity. Between two stages of OSF, statistically significant differences were noted in expression of TIMP-2 in lamina propria, deep connective tissue and supra basal layers (p<0.05) and basal and supra basal layers for MMP-2 (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The simultaneous increase in expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 with advancing stages of OSF can provide a basis for considering the proteases as important mediators in the pathogenesis and progression of OSF which could aid in identifying the aggressiveness of the condition and elucidate its role in its malignant transformation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology Manipal College of Dental Sciences Manipal University, Manipal, India.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shrestha
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Manipal College of Dental Sciences Manipal University, Manipal, India.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Carnelio
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009914:Oral Submucous Fibrosis / Q000473:pathology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: C560823:TIMP2 protein, human; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2