title: Immunohistochemical expression of MMP-2 and MMP-8 in oral squamous cell carcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are endopeptidases that can degrade extracellular matrix components and affect invasiveness and aggressiveness of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The aim of this study was to examine the immunohistochemical expression of MMP-2 and MMP-8 in OSCCs in patients presenting at the Tertiary Health facility in Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) OSCC samples diagnosed between the years 2010 and 2012 were used for his study. The FFPE were processed for MMP-2 and MMP-8 using the specifications of the manufacturer. Two investigators reviewed the slides scoring the pattern and intensity of staining as negative (0), weakly positive (+1), moderately positive (+2) and strongly positive (+3). The data were analysed using version 20 of the SPSS. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-five OSCC consisting of 14 (56%) males and 11 females (44%) were used. The mean age was 54.6 ± 17.9 years. A higher proportion (100%) of poorly differentiated OSCC strongly expressed MMP-2 compared with the well differentiated and moderately differentiated OSSC. There was no significant difference in the expression of MMP-2 amongst the three grades of OSCC (X2 = 2.87; p= 0.17). Only 5 (20%) OSCC cases positively expressed MMP-8. Moderate expression of MMP-8 was only seen in well-differentiated OSCCs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study showed that a higher proportion of poorly differentiated OSSC strongly expressed MMP-2. Eighty percent of cases that express MMP-8 were females and moderate expression of MMP-8 was seen only in well differentiated OSCC. Key words:Oral squamous cell carcinoma, MMP-2, MMP-8, immunohistochemistry.
authors.affiliation: (FMCDS), Lecturer/Consultant, Department of Oral Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Ahmed-Oluwatoyin
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Lawal
authors.affiliation: (FMCDS), Lecturer/Consultant, Department of Oral Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Akinyele-Olumuyiwa
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Adisa
authors.affiliation: (FWASC), Lecturer/Consultant, Department of Oral Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Bamidele
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kolude
authors.affiliation: (FWASC), Lecturer/Consultant, Department of Oral Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Bukola-Folasade
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Adeyemi