基质金属蛋白酶-9及组织基质金属蛋白酶抑制剂-1在脑动静脉畸形血清中的表达及与出血的关系

目的 研究基质金属蛋白酶-9（matrix metalloproteinase-9,MMP-9）及组织基质金属蛋白酶抑制剂-1（tissue inhibitor of metalioproteinases-1,TIMP-1）在脑动静脉畸形（cerebullar arteriovenous malformations,CAVM）患者血清中的表达及其与出血的关系。 方法 选取48例脑动静脉畸形患者。按有无出血症状分为出血组及非出血组,并选取24例原发癫患者为正常对照组。对患者术前及术后3d、7d血清中的MMP-9和TIMP-1水平进行研究。 结果 术前出血组及非出血组中,MMP-9、TIMP-1含量均显著高于对照组（P<0.01）,术后出血组及非出血组中,上述指标与术前相比有所下降,但仍高于同期对照组（P<0.01）。出血组及非出血组间,术前与术后MMP-9、TIMP-1含量均无统计学差异（P>0.05）,但术前两组间MMP-9与TIMP-1之比值（MMP-9/TIMP-1）具有统计学差异（P<0.05）。 结论 MMP-9及TIMP-1与CAVM的发生发展有密切关系,MMP-9水平升高可能是TIMP-1合成和分泌的促进因素之一。MMP-9和TIMP-1比例失衡,可能是引起脑动静脉畸形出血的重要机制。     

烟雾病患者血清基质金属蛋白酶-9和组织基质金属蛋白酶抑制剂-1的表达以及与颅内出血的关系

目的 探讨烟雾病(MMD)患者血清基质金属蛋白酶-9(MMP-9)和组织基质金属蛋白酶抑制剂-1(TIMP-1)的表达以及与颅内出血的关系.方法 检测26例有颅内出血的MMD的患者(出血组)、21例无出血的MMD患者(无出血组)及25名健康对照者(正常对照组)的血清MMP-9、TIMP-1水平,并进行比较.结果 与正常对照组比较,出血组与无出血组患者血清MMP-9及TIMP-1水平显著升高(均P＜0.01).与无出血组比较,出血组MMP-9/TIMP-1显著增高(P＜0.05),MMP-9与TIMP-1水平差异无统计学意义.出血组及无出血组血清TIMP-1与MMP-9水平均呈正相关(r=0.626,r=0.645;均P＜0.01).结论 MMP-9及TIMP-1在MMD患者血清中表达显著升高.MMP-9与TIMP-1比例失衡可能是引起MMD患者颅内出血的重要机制.     

活性金属基质蛋白酶-9的表达增高可能导致脑动静脉畸形出血风险增加的研究

【摘要】 目的 探讨金属基质蛋白酶-9（matrix metalloproteinase-9,MMP-9）在脑动静脉畸形出血机制中的作用。 方法 收集2010年10月至2011年3月天坛医院住院的脑动静脉畸形（arteriovenous malformation,AVM）患者及颞叶癫痫患者。根据手术切下的动静脉畸形的血管巢及癫痫手术患者术中切除的脑组织,分为脑动静脉畸形出血组（14例）、未出血组（17例）和对照组（25例）。采用Western蛋白印迹检测组织中MMP-9蛋白水平的表达。采用免疫荧光方法检测各组MMP-9的表达,明胶酶谱检测组织中有活性的MMP-2和MMP-9蛋白的表达。 结果 MMP-9蛋白在未出血组中表达高于对照组和出血组（1.21±0.34 vs 0.35±0.06,P =0.0014;1.21±0.34 vs 0.32±0.08,P =0.047）,出血组和对照组之间差异无显著性（0.32±0.08 vs0.35±0.06,P =0.7456）。显示MMP-9蛋白的活性明胶酶谱中,出血组和未出血组及对照组之间的差异有显著性（0.97±0.08 vs 0.40±0.09,P =0.009;0.97±0.08 vs 0.30±0.07,P =0.0034）。在出血组,有活性的MMP-2的表达同样高于未出血组和对照组,差异有显著性（1.36±0.17 vs 0.55±0.12,P =0.019;1.36±0.17 vs 0.36±0.09,P =0.006）。 结论 在脑动静脉畸形组织中活性MMP-9表达增高,在破裂出血的动静脉畸形中MMP-9更多转化为活性的形式出现。     

脑出血大鼠血肿周围脑组织含水量与基质金属蛋白酶-9、组织基质金属蛋白酶抑制剂-1及谷氨酸表达水平的关系

目的 探讨脑出血大鼠血肿周围脑组织含水量与基质金属蛋白酶-9(MMP-9)、组织基质金属蛋白酶抑制剂-1(TIMP-1)及谷氨酸表达水平的关系.方法 雄性Wistar大鼠48只,随机分为正常对照组(n=8)、假手术组(n=8)、脑出血组(n=32),脑出血组又分为脑出血后12h、24h、72 h、7d4个亚组,每亚组8只大鼠.采用自体血尾状核注入法制备脑出血模型.采用干湿重法测定脑含水量,免疫组化法检测血肿周围脑组织MMP-9、TIMP-1及谷氨酸的表达.结果 脑出血组各时间点亚组大鼠血肿周围脑组织含水量与MMP-9、TIMP-1及谷氨酸表达水平均显著高于正常对照组和假手术组(均P＜0.01).脑出血组中,72 h亚组大鼠脑组织含水量及MMP-9、TIMP-1表达水平最高(P ＜0.01);24 h亚组大鼠脑组织谷氨酸表达水平最高(P＜0.01).多重线性回归分析结果显示,脑组织含水量(Y)与脑组织MMP-9(X1)及谷氨酸(X3)表达水平呈直线关系,多元回归方程为Y=68.894+0.281X1-0.052X3.结论 脑出血后血肿周围组织含水量及MMP-9、TIMP-1、谷氨酸的表达水平明显增高,MMP-9、谷氨酸在脑出血后血肿周围组织水肿的发生发展中具有重要作用.     

依达拉奉对脑梗死患者血清基质金属蛋白酶-9及基质金属蛋白酶抑制剂-1的影响

目的探讨依达拉奉对急性脑梗死患者血清基质金属蛋白酶-9(MMP-9)及基质金属蛋白酶抑制剂-1(TIMP-1)的影响并探讨其作用机制。方法40例急性脑梗死患者随机分成两组,A组(银杏达莫20ml,1次/d,连续14d,静脉点滴);B组(加用依达拉奉注射液30mg,2次/d,连续14d,静脉点滴)。同期选择非脑血管病患者20例作为对照组。检测治疗前和治疗后第7天患者血清MMP-9及TIMP-1浓度的变化,测定治疗前、治疗第30天的NIHSS评分,判定两组的疗效。结果在治疗第7天,B组的MMP-9浓度明显低于A组(P<0.01)。治疗第7天时,与A组相比,B组TIMP-1浓度升高明显(P<0.01)。B组治疗的有效率及显效率明显高于A组(P<0.05)。结论依达拉奉能够直接降低血清MMP-9的浓度,或通过调节TIMP-1来降低MMP-9水平,可能是其有效治疗急性脑梗死的机制之一。     

病毒性脑炎患儿血清及脑脊液中基质金属蛋白酶-9及其抑制剂的变化及临床意义

目的 探讨病毒性脑炎患儿血清和脑脊液中基质金属蛋白酶-9(MMP-9)和基质金属蛋白酶组织抑制剂-1(TIMP-1)水平的变化及临床意义.方法 采用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测48例病毒性脑炎患儿和25例正常患儿血清和脑脊液中MMP-9、TIMP-1水平.结果 病毒性脑炎患儿轻型组和重型组血清和脑脊液中基质金属蛋白酶-1和基质金属蛋白酶组织因子-1及其二者比值均明显高于对照组(P＜0.05或0.01),且重型组较轻型组明显增高(P＜0.05).结论 检测病毒性脑炎患儿血清和脑脊液中MMP-9、TIMP-1水平及MMP-9/TIMP-1比例对指导临床诊断和治疗具有一定的意义.     

脑出血患者血肿周围脑组织中基质金属蛋白酶-9及其抑制剂的表达

目的 探讨基质金属蛋白酶-9(MMP-9)及其抑制剂在高血压脑出血患者血肿周围脑组织中的表达规律,及其在早期脑水肿发生中的作用.方法应用免疫组织化学方法对高血压性脑出血患者出血后24h内血肿周围脑组织中MMP-9及基质金属蛋白酶组织抑制因子-1(TIMP-1)的表达进行测定,根据患者头部CT扫描计算血肿周围水肿体积.结果高血压性脑出血患者血肿周围有明显的脑水肿发生,对照组中未发现明显的MMP-9和TIMP-1阳性表达,而在脑出血组则呈现明显表达(P<0.01),而且MMP-9的表达明显高于TIMP-1(P<0.01).结论脑出血后血肿周围脑组织中MMP-9表达显著上调,打破了生理状态下与TIMP-1的平衡,可能参与了出血后继发性脑水肿的发生.     

中青年脑梗死患者颈动脉粥样硬化及其血清基质金属蛋白酶-9、组织基质金属蛋白酶抑制剂-1、超敏C反应蛋白水平的改变

目的研究中青年脑梗死患者颈动脉粥样硬化及其血清基质金属蛋白酶-9(MMP-9)、组织基质金属蛋白酶抑制剂-1(TIMP-1)、超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)水平的改变。方法应用彩色多普勒超声仪探测42例急性脑梗死患者(ACI组)、29例无症状颈动脉硬化患者(ACA组)及17名健康体检者(NC组)的双侧颈动脉粥样硬化的情况。采用酶联免疫吸附法检测各组血清MMP-9和TIMP-1水平,免疫散射比浊法检测血清hs-CRP水平。结果 NC组均未检出颈动脉粥样硬化斑块。ACI组易损斑块的比例(69.2%)及检出率(47.6%)均明显高于ACA组(46.4%,20.7%)(均P<0.05)。ACI组血清MMP-9、TIMP-1、hs-CRP水平及MMP-9/TIMP-1比值均明显高于ACA组(均P<0.05);ACA组血清MMP-9、TIMP-1、hs-CRP水平均明显高于NC组(均P<0.05)。ACI组中,易损斑块亚组血清MMP-9、TIMP-1、hs-CRP水平及MMP-9/TIMP-1比值均明显高于稳定斑块亚组(均P<0.05);稳定斑块亚组血清MMP-9、TIMP-1、hs-CRP水平均明显高于无斑块亚组(均P<0.05)。结论血清MMP-9、TIMP-1、hs-CRP可作为反映颈动脉粥样硬化及斑块稳定性的血清学指标。MMP-9/TIMP-1比值增高及颈动脉易损斑块可能提示中青年脑梗死的风险。     

急性脑梗死患者血清基质金属蛋白酶-2、基质金属蛋白酶组织抑制因子-2的变化及其意义

目的观察急性脑梗死患者血清基质金属蛋白酶-2（MMP-2）及基质金属蛋白酶组织押制因子-2（TIMP-2）水平的变化，探讨其在急性脑梗死的发病机制中的作用及临床意义。方法采用酶联免疫吸附法对56例急性脑梗死患者（CI组）及49例健康时照组（NC组）进行血清MMP-2、TIMP-2测定。结果CI组血清MMP-2水平在发病后呈先增高后降至NC组水平的趋势，病程〈24h、2～5d、28d分别为（46.29±14．37）μg／L、（62．18±12．32）μg／L、（35．72±8．91）μg／L，其中以2～5d时最高，与CI组病程〈24h、28d、NC组比较有显著性差异（P〈0．05）。CI组血清TIMP-2水平在病程〈24h、2～5d、28d分别为（186．14±27．91）μg／L、（160．62±25．49）μg／L、（189．01±33．17）μg／L，其中以2～5d时最低，与CI组病程〈24h、28d、NC组比较有显著性差异（P〈0．05）。结论急性脑梗死患者存在血清MMP-2、TIMP-2水平异常，提示MMP-2、TIMP-2参入脑梗死病理过程。     

基质金属蛋白酶9及其抑制剂在脑膜瘤中的表达

目的探讨基质金属蛋白酶-9(MMP-9)及其抑制剂TIMP-1在脑膜瘤中的表达与脑膜瘤侵袭性的关系。方法采用免疫组化S-P法测定手术切除的70例不同组织学类型脑膜瘤标本中MMP-9及TIMP-1的蛋白表达。结果MMP-9和TIMP-1在良性脑膜瘤中的阳性表达率分别为35.00%、52.50%;在恶性脑膜瘤中的阳性表达率分别为76.67%、53.33%。MMP-9在恶性脑膜瘤和良性脑膜瘤的表达均存在显著性差异,TIMP-1无差异。结论MMP-9与脑膜瘤的生物学特性相关,促进脑膜瘤的侵袭;MMP-9/TIMP-1的失衡与脑膜瘤的恶性程度和侵袭能力相关。     

大鼠脑出血周边组织MMP-9、TIMP-1表达对脑水肿的影响

目的:研究大鼠脑出血周边组织基质金属蛋白酶系(MMPs)的成员明胶酶-9(MMP-9)和内源性基质金属蛋白酶抑制物(TIMP-1)表达对脑水肿的影响。方法:Wister大鼠50只随机分为对照组、出血组,各组又分为6、24、48、72、120h等5个时间点。测定脑组织含水量、脑组织示踪剂伊文思蓝(EB)含量和MMP-9、TIMP-1表达。结果:出血后脑组织含水量在72h、EB含量在48h、MMP-9和TIMP-1表达在48h达到高峰,血脑屏障(BBB)在各时间点均有破坏。结论:出血后MMP-9表达可导致BBB通透性增加,TIMP-1通过抑制MMP-9的表达减轻脑水肿。     

儿童脑动静脉畸形出血危险因素分析

目的   研究儿童脑动静脉畸形（cerebral arteriovenous malformation,CAVM）临床特点及形态特点,评估其破裂出血的相关因素。 方法  回顾性分析2012年1月～2014年12月首都医科大学附属北京天坛医院收治年龄小于14岁CAVM患者73例,均经数字减影血管造影（digital subtraction angiography,DSA）检查明确诊断。采用单变量及多变量Logistic回归分析儿童入院时CAVM破裂出血与患者性别、年龄、CAVM侧别、DSA最大径、是否合并动脉瘤、病变是否位于深部、是否纯深静脉引流及静脉引流类型（浅静脉、深静脉及浅静脉合并深静脉）等因素的关系。 结果  共73例儿童CAVM患者纳入研究,其中49例入院时合并出血,出血率为67.1%。CAVM直径小是儿童CAVM出血的独立危险因素［比值比（odds ratio,OR）0.96,95%可信区间（confidence interval,CI）0.93～099,P＜0.05］。 结论  儿童CAVM破裂出血与动静脉畸形大小有关。     

Serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases 1 in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis

We determined the relationship between the serum concentrations of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP-1) in 33 patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) to investigate the function of the blood-brain-barrier (BBB) in SSPE. Serum MMP-9 and TIMP-1 levels were measured by ELISA. Serum MMP-9 levels and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratios of SSPE patients in Papua New Guinea (n = 24), and those in Japan (n = 9) were significantly higher than the each control (MMP-9, p = 0.0390, and p = 0.0023, respectively; MMP-9/TIMP-1, p = 0.0319, and p = 0.0009, respectively). Serum MMP-9 levels and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratios of SSPE patients with Jabbour stage III (n = 13) were significantly higher than those with Jabbour stage II (n = 18) (p = 0.003, and p = 0.0412, respectively). There were no significant differences of serum TIMP-1 levels between the SSPE patients and controls. High serum MMP-9 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 levels will promote brain invasion through the BBB by immunocompetent cells in the blood. Our findings suggest that the balance of serum MMP-9 and TIMP-1 levels modulate the inflammatory cascade of SSPE.     

三维数字减影血管造影在脑动静脉畸形血管内治疗中的应用

目的探讨三维数字减影血管造影(3D-DSA)在脑动静脉畸形(AVM)血管内治疗中的临床应用价值。方法选择22例脑AVM患者进行血管内治疗,在治疗过程中均行3D-DSA,分析AVM供血动脉、引流静脉的特征和畸形血管团的内部结构,并与二维DSA比较。结果二维DSA和3D-DSA均可正确诊断脑AVM,但对AVM供血动脉、引流静脉及AVM内部结构的显示3D-DSA优于二维DSA。本组22例脑AVM中,二维DSA清晰显示供血动脉13例(59.1%),而3D-DSA清晰显示20例(90.9%);二维DSA和3D-DSA清晰显示引流静脉分别为15例(68.2%)和20例(90.9%),清晰显示AVM内部结构分别为5例(22.7%)和17例(77.3%)。同时对合并的动脉瘤,二维DSA仅清晰显示1例,而3D-DSA则清晰显示了6例。结论 3D-DSA在脑AVM血管内治疗中具有重要的应用价值。     

Cerebrospinal fluid and serum levels and intrathecal production of active matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) as markers of disease activity in patients with multiple sclerosis

In this study, we employed a sensitive activity assay system to measure cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum levels of active matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in 37 relapsing-remitting (RR), 15 secondary progressive (SP) and nine primary progressive (PP) multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, grouped according to clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evidence of disease activity. We also studied, as neurological controls, 48 patients with other inflammatory neurological disorders (OIND) and 48 with non-inflammatory neurological disorders (NIND). To assess active MMP-9/TIMP-1 circuit, CSF and serum levels of MMP-9 tissue inhibitor TIMP-1 were quantified by ELISA in the same patient population. CSF mean levels of active MMP-9, CSF active MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratios and intrathecal active MMP-9 synthesis, as indicated by specific index, were more elevated in MS than in NIND (P < 0.05, < 0.02 and < 0.02, respectively), serum active MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio was higher in MS (P < 0.01) and OIND (P < 0.02) than in NIND, and serum TIMP-1 concentrations were lower in MS than in NIND (P<0.05). More importantly, serum active MMP-9 mean levels, serum active MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio and intrathecal production of active MMP-9 were increased in MS patients with clinical (P < 0.001, < 0.001 and < 0.05, respectively) and MRI (P < 0.001, < 0.001 and < 0.02, respectively) disease activity, whereas CSF mean concentrations of active MMP-9 and CSF active MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio were enhanced only in MS patients with MRI evidence of disease activity (P < 0.02 and < 0.01, respectively). Altogether, these findings suggest that a shift in MMP-9/TIMP-1 balance towards proteolytic activity of MMP-9 could be relevant in MS immune dysregulation. In addition, our results indicate that CSF and serum levels of active MMP-9 may represent a potential surrogate biomarker for monitoring MS disease activity. In particular, serum active MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio seems to be a very appropriate indicator of ongoing MS inflammation, since it is easily measurable.     

Serum MMP-9 and TIMP-1 levels are related to MRI activity in relapsing multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: To 1) compare monthly serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of MMP-type 1 (TIMP-1) in patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) versus healthy controls and 2) determine the relationship among monthly serum levels of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 and MRI activity. BACKGROUND: Activated T-cells and macrophages secrete MMPs that may facilitate their migration across vascular subendothelial basement membranes into the CNS. The serum concentration of MMP-9 is reported to be higher in patients with RRMS than healthy controls. METHODS: Monthly evaluations including gadolinium-enhanced (Gd+) brain MRI and measures of serum MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were performed for up to 15 months in 24 patients with RRMS and for up to 4 months in 10 controls. RESULTS: Serum MMP-9 but not TIMP-1 levels are elevated in RRMS patients compared to healthy controls (p = 0.025, p = 0.61). In a univariate analysis, high MMP-9 and low TIMP-1 levels precede appearance of new Gd+ lesions (respectively; odds ratio = 3.3, p = 0.008; odds ratio = 2.2, p = 0.086). In a multivariate analysis, in comparison to months when MMP-9 is low and TIMP-1 high, MRI scans obtained the month following high MMP-9 and low TIMP-1 serum concentrations are more likely to report new Gd+ lesions (p = 0.0006, odds ratio = 21.5). CONCLUSION: An increase in the activity of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) relative to tissue inhibitor of MMP-type 1 (TIMP-1) may be related to formation of new MS lesions, suggesting that serum levels of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 may be surrogate markers of disease activity in relapsing-remitting MS.     

Serum matrix metallopeptidase-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 levels in autoimmune encephalitis

ObjectiveSome pediatric patients with autoimmune encephalitis (AE) experience sequelae in spite of immunotherapy. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the association of serum matrix metallopeptidase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) levels with the neurological prognosis of AE.MethodsWe retrospectively included 13 patients with AE who had been referred to Saitama Children’s Medical Center from February 2011 to May 2019. We compared serum MMP-9 levels, TIMP-1 levels, and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio in the acute period (within 30 days from the onset of AE) and subacute period (30-day period following the acute period). We also compared these biomarker levels between patients with (group A) and without sequelae (group B). Sequelae were evaluated at discharge or the last visit.ResultsGroup A (median age, 7.8 years; range, 5.3–10.7 years) and group B (median age, 13.3 years; range, 11.1–15.4 years) had 6 patients each; 1 patient was excluded because the time of AE onset was unknown. In the acute period, there were no significant differences in MMP-9 levels, TIMP-1 levels, and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio between groups A and B. In the subacute period, serum MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio was higher in group A than in group B (p < 0.01). There were no significant differences in MMP-9 and TIMP-1 levels between groups A and B.ConclusionsPatients with sequelae of AE showed a high MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio in the subacute period. Our study demonstrates that elevation of serum MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio in the subacute period may be a predictive factor of sequelae of AE.     

Profiles of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in plasma of patients with dementia

BACKGROUND: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are elevated in the brain tissue of patients with dementia and may play a role in the pathophysiology of dementia. MMP-9 and tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs) are elevated in postmortem brain tissue of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). In a previous study we showed that circulating levels of MMP-9 are elevated in AD patients. The aim of the present study was to examine circulating levels of MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in the plasma of patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), AD, vascular dementia (VaD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), to determine, whether plasma profiles of MMPs and TIMPs differ in various types of dementia. METHODS: Gelatinolytic activity (MMP-2 and MMP-9) was measured in all plasma samples by zymography. Levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, MMP-1 as well as TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: We found constitutive expression of MMP-1, -2 and -9 as well as TIMP-1 and -2 in all the samples investigated. As shown previously, MMP-9 was significantly elevated in the plasma of AD patients (p = 0.004) as compared to controls and MCI patients. Plasma levels of TIMP-1 were significantly lower in VD samples as compared to all other groups. Levels of TIMP-2 were significantly lower in patients with FTD as compared to AD, VaD and MCI patients. There were no significant changes of MMP-1 and MMP-2 levels in the samples. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that circulating levels of MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 and changes in the MMP/TIMP balance in plasma differ in various types of dementia.     

Expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor

BACKGROUND: Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) can degrade collagen Ⅳ (the main structural ingredient of basilar membrane), and it also plays an important role in tumor vascularization, tumor cell progression, formation of metastatic focus, etc. Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) can bind with MMP-9 to form 1∶1 compound and inhibit its activity, and can negatively regulate the tumor progression and metastasis. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 expressions with the pathological grade, metastasis and prognosis of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST). DESIGN: An observational comparative experiment. SETTING: Heze Medical College. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-eight surgical pathological samples, which were clearly diagnosed to be MPNST, were collected from the pathological laboratory archives in the Department of Pathology, Heze Municipal Hospital from January 1988 to December 2003. The MPNST pathological types were common tumor in 53 cases, malignant triton tumor in 2 cases, epithelial MPNST in 2 cases and MPNST with gland differentiation in 1 case. The pathological grade was grade 1 in 11 cases, grade 2 in 24 cases and grade 3 in 23 cases. Besides, the resected tumor samples of 20 patients with benign peripheral nerve tumor (10 cases of nerve sheath tumor and 10 cases of neurofibromatosis) and the normal peripheral nerves (by-products of some surgeries) of 5 patients were also collected. The samples were used with the approval of the patients. Rat-anti-human MMP-9, TIMP-1 monoclonal antibody and S-P kit were purchased from Fuzhou Maixin Biotechnology, Co.,Ltd. METHODS: The documented paraffin blocks were again prepared to sections of 5 μm. The expressions of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in the samples were detected with mmunohistochemical S-P method. The relationships of the MPNST severity, recurrence, metastasis and survival rate with the expressions of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were analyzed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Relationships of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 expressions with the MPNST severity and prognosis. RESULTS: ① Expressions of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in three tissues: MMP-9 and TIMP-1 stainings were mainly observed in cytoplasm. Among the 58 MPNST patients, the MMP-9 expression was significantly higher than those in normal peripheral nerve and benign tumor (P < 0.05), while the TIMP-1 expression in MPNST was lower than those in normal peripheral nerve and benign tumor (P < 0.05). ② Relationship of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 expressions with the severity and prognosis of MPNST: The expressions of both proteins were observed in the four subtypes. The positive expression of MMP-9 in the MPNST patients of grades 2–3 was significantly higher than that in the MPNST patients of grade 1 (P < 0.05), while the expression of MMP-9 was significantly lower than that in the MPNST patients of grade 1 (P < 0.05). The metastatic rate was positively correlated with MMP-9 expression (r =1.696, P < 0.05), but negatively correlated with TIMP-1 expression (r =–2.125, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: MMP-9 and TIMP-1 are associated with MPNST pathological grades and metastasis, and can be used as the indicators for judging the severity and prognosis of MPNST.