哮喘豚鼠MMP-9、TIMP-1免疫反应的变化及与气道重塑的关系

目的　观察实验性哮喘豚鼠气道平滑肌基质金属蛋白酶 9(MMP 9)及其抑制剂 (TIMP 1)的表达以及气道平滑肌厚度的变化。方法　用免疫组织化学结合显微图像分析测定气道平滑肌MMP 9、TIMP 1免疫反应的变化及气道平滑肌厚度。结果　MMP 9、TIMP 1广泛分布于气道平滑肌。哮喘组MMP 9平均灰度值(10 5 94± 6 0 9)明显低于对照组 (12 0 2 5± 3 6 6 ) (P <0 0 1) ;哮喘组TIMP 1平均灰度值 (99 36± 5 71)明显低于对照组 (12 3 4 5 7) (P <0 0 1) ;哮喘组气道平滑肌厚度 (6 45± 1 83μm2 / μm)明显高于对照组 (3 17± 0 85 )(P <0 0 5 )。结论　MMP 9、TIMP 1可能参与哮喘时气道重塑。     

维甲酸下调高氧暴露下胎鼠肺成纤维细胞及Ⅱ型肺泡上皮细胞MMP-2表达

目的探讨维甲酸(RA)对高氧暴露下胎鼠肺成纤维细胞(LFs)和肺泡Ⅱ型上皮细胞(AECⅡ)基质金属蛋白酶-2 (MMP -2 )表达的影响及调控。方法原代培养胎鼠肺LFs及AECⅡ,待其生长至亚汇合状态时,随机分为:空气组、空气+RA组、高氧组和高氧+RA组。于培养2、6、12、2 4和4 8(AECⅡ)或72h(LFs)时,采用半定量RT- PCR方法检测MMP 2和TIMP 2mRNA表达,应用Westernblot检测p38和磷酸化p38(p p38)蛋白表达水平。结果(1)与空气组比较,高氧可促进胎鼠LFs、AECⅡMMP 2mRNA和胎鼠LFsp p38表达(P <0 . 0 1或P <0. 0 5 ) ;(2 )RA能部分下调高氧诱导的胎鼠LFs、AECⅡMMP 2mRNA高表达和明显降低胎鼠LFsp p38表达;(3)高氧、RA对胎鼠LFs、AECⅡTIMP -2mRNA和胎鼠LFsp38蛋白表达无明显影响;(4)胎鼠LFsp p38与MMP 2mRNA表达呈显著性正相关(r =0. 76 7,P <0. 0 1,n =18)。结论高氧可促进胎鼠LFs、AECⅡMMP 2mRNA表达;p38通路参与高氧状态下胎鼠LFsMMP -2表达调控;RA可在转录后水平调节p38的活性状态从而实现对MMP-2的表达调控。     

microRNA-25 通过HMGB1 途径降低缺氧/ 复氧H9C2 心肌细胞纤维化

目的:探讨microRNA-25(miR-25)对缺氧/复氧诱导的H9C2细胞纤维化的作用及机制。方法:建立miR-25过表达/沉默的H9C2细胞株,行缺氧/复氧损伤处理,Real-time PCR检测miR-25的表达,Western blot检测TIMP2、MMP2、CollagenⅠ、CollagenⅢ、Fibronectin及HMGB1蛋白表达水平。构建转染HMGB1 shRNA的H9C2稳定细胞系,行缺氧/复氧损伤处理,Western blot检测HMGB1、TIMP2、MMP2、CollagenⅠ、CollagenⅢ蛋白表达水平。双荧光素酶试验验证miR-25与HMGB1的靶向关系。结果:miR-25高表达组,HMGB1表达减少,TIMP2、MMP2、CollagenⅠ、CollagenⅢ、Fibronectin蛋白表达减少,细胞纤维化程度降低,与对照组相比,差异具有统计学意义(P0. 01)。转染HMGB1-shRNA组H9C2细胞,缺氧/复氧处理后,HMGB1、TIMP2、MMP2、CollagenⅠ、CollagenⅢ蛋白表达减少,与对照组相比,差异具有统计学意义(P0. 01)。双荧光素报告基因显示,转染miR-25mimic+野生型HMGB1-3'UTR报告基因载体组荧光素酶信号强度明显下降;对照组荧光素酶没有变化,差异具有统计学意义(P0. 05)。结论:miR-25通过靶向调控HMGB1表达降低缺氧/复氧诱导的H9C2细胞纤维化。     

MMP9、TIMP1及VEGF在子宫内膜异位症患者在位内膜的表达

研究基质金属蛋白酶 9(matrixmetalloproteinase 9,MMP9)及其抑制剂 (tissueinhibitorofmetalloproteinase 1,TIMP1)和血管内皮生长因子 (vascularendothelialgrowthfactor,VEGF)在子宫内膜异位症 (endometriosis,EM)患者的在位内膜中的表达。采用免疫组化SP法分别检测 4 5例EM(研究组 )在位内膜及 32例子宫肌瘤 (对照组 )的在位内膜中MMP9、TIMP1及VEGF的表达。MMP9、TIMP1、MMP9 TIMP1和VEGF在研究组和对照组的表达分别为 0 336 ,0 2 76 ;0 2 5 3,0 2 6 7和 1 2 93,1 0 34;0 372 ,0 2 88。其中MMP9、MMP9 TIMP1和VEGF在研究组中的表达显著高于对照组内膜 (P <0 0 1)。EM患者的在位内膜中MMP9、VEGF高表达可能是EM发生发展的重要原因。诊刮筛选出高MMP9、VEGF表达的在位内膜可望成为预测和诊断EM的方法之一。     

糖尿病大鼠肾组织中NF-κB和MMP-9及TIMP-1表达关系的研究

目的 :研究糖尿病大鼠肾组织中核因子 κB(NF κB)和基质金属蛋白酶 9(MMP 9)及组织基质蛋白酶抑制因子 1(TIMP 1)表达之间的关系方法 :将 3 0只雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为正常对照组 (C组 )、糖尿病未治疗组 (D组 )和糖尿病苯那普利治疗组 (B组 ) ,每组10只 ,利用链脲佐菌素 (STZ)诱导糖尿病模型 ,应用免疫组化方法研究大鼠肾组织中NF κB、MMP 9和TIMP 1的表达 ,并利用HPIAS 10 0 0型医学彩色图像分析系统进行图像分析。结果 :各组间的差异均有显著性意义 (P <0 .0 1)。NF κB与MMP 9成明显负相关 (r =-0 .882 67,P <0 .0 1) ,NF κB与TIMP 1无明显相关 (r =0 .5 2 981,P >0 .0 5 ) ,NF κB与MMP 9/TIMP 1的比值亦成明显负相关 (r =-0 .8685 0 ,P <0 .0 1)。结论 :NF κB对糖尿病大鼠肾组织中MMP 9的表达起重要作用 ,可能参与了糖尿病肾病的发生和发展     

垂体腺瘤中MMP-9及TIMP-1表达与肿瘤生物学行为的关系

目的　探讨MMP 9及其抑制因子TIMP 1在垂体腺瘤中表达与肿瘤生物学行为的关系。方法　应用免疫组化S P法检测上述基因蛋白在 2 3例侵袭性和 2 4例非侵袭性垂体腺瘤组织中的表达。结果　侵袭性垂体腺瘤组中MMP 9的表达和MMP 9表达超过TIMP 1的比例高于非侵袭性腺瘤组 (P <0 0 5 ) ;TIMP 1在侵袭性垂体腺瘤组的表达有降低的趋势 ,但无统计学意义 (P >0 0 5 ) ;MMP 9与TIMP 1表达呈正相关 (P <0 0 5 )。结论　MMP 9表达上调导致其和TIMP 1的表达失衡与垂体腺瘤侵袭性有关 ,MMP 9可作为评估垂体腺瘤侵袭性的分子生物学指标     

宫颈癌中MMP-2及TIMP-2的表达及其临床意义

目的 :通过检测基质金属蛋白酶 - 2 (MMP - 2 )及基质金属蛋白酶组织抑制物 - 2 (TIMP - 2 )在宫颈癌中的表达 ,探讨其与宫颈癌侵袭转移的关系。方法 :采用免疫组化S -P法检测 5 1例宫颈癌和 16例正常宫颈组织中MMP - 2和TIMP - 2的表达情况。结果 :MMP - 2、TIMP - 2在正常宫颈上皮组织中均无表达 ,在宫颈癌组织中的阳性表达率分别为 74 .5 % (38/ 5 1)、4 7.1% (2 4 / 5 1) ,有显著性差异 (P <0 .0 1)。MMP - 2、TIMP - 2的表达与组织学类型无关 ,但与临床分期、细胞分化程度、淋巴结转移有关。结论 :MMP - 2、TIMP - 2的表达与宫颈癌的侵袭转移有关 ,MMP - 2、TIMP - 2可作为预测宫颈癌侵袭转移潜能和临床预后的指标。     

乳腺癌MMP-2表达与间质微血管密度和肿瘤转移的关系

目的 :研究乳腺癌组织中基质金属蛋白酶 2 (MMP 2 )的表达特点 ,探讨其与间质微血管密度及肿瘤转移的关系。方法 :应用免疫组化S P法 ,检测 49例乳腺癌、10例癌旁正常组织MMP 2的表达 ,并在CD34染色切片上检测间质微血管密度(MVD)。结果 :乳腺癌组织MMP 2的表达 (75 5 % )明显高于癌旁正常组织 (30 % ) ,二者之间差异有显著性 (P <0 0 1) ;MMP 2阳性组MVD均值 (5 4 93± 13 86 )高于MMP 2阴性组 (4 1 2 8± 11 6 9) ,MMP 2的表达与MVD呈正相关 (P <0 0 1)。此外 ,乳腺癌MMP 2的表达与组织学分级、淋巴结转移密切相关 (P <0 0 5 ) ,而与患者年龄、肿瘤大小、组织学分型、临床分期无关。结论 :MMP 2促进乳腺癌间质血管生成 ,促进肿瘤的侵袭和转移 ,有可能成为判定乳腺癌生物学行为和预后的重要指标     

转染Smad7基因的大鼠肾系膜细胞基质金属蛋白酶2及其组织抑制因子2表达的改变

目的　通过对大鼠肾小球系膜细胞 (mesangialcell,MsC)转染Smad 7基因 ,观察转染阳性细胞克隆基质金属蛋白酶 2 (MMP 2 )及其组织抑制因子 2 (TIMP 2 )表达的改变 ,以进一步阐明Smad7阻断肾组织纤维化过程的作用机制。方法　经脂质体介导将含有Smad 7重组表达质粒转染大鼠MsC ,用G4 18筛选及Western印迹分析、逆转录 聚合酶链反应 (RT PCR)法鉴定 ;又分别采用Western印迹分析、酶谱分析法和RT PCR法 ,检测转染阳性细胞克隆MMP 2和TIMP 2表达改变。结果　成功建立高表达Smad 7的阳性MsC克隆 (S 2 2 ,S 2 6 ) ,并证实其MMP 2蛋白分泌和酶活性均明显升高 ,而TIMP 2mRNA及其蛋白的表达则被明显抑制。阳性MsC克隆S 2 2 ,S 2 6细胞分泌MMP 2比对照组高约 3 8倍 (P <0 0 1) ;S 2 2与S 2 6细胞TIMP 2蛋白表达约为对照组 4 8% (P <0 0 5 )。结论　Smad 7可能通过增强肾组织内MMP 2酶活性和抑制TIMP 2的生成而起到减轻肾组织纤维化进展的作用。     

环孢霉素A诱导大鼠心肌纤维化和对基质金属蛋白酶及其抑制剂表达的影响

目的:研究环孢霉素A(CsA)诱导的大鼠心肌损伤及心肌纤维化的程度,检测基质金属蛋白酶(MMP) 2和MMP9及其组织抑制物(TIMP) 2和TIMP1表达的变化,为探寻CsA诱导心肌纤维化的发生机制提供理论依据。方法:64只健康雌性6～8周龄Wistar大鼠随机分为4组:对照组、低剂量CsA组、中剂量CsA组和高剂量CsA组,分别腹腔注射生理盐水、5 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)CsA、12. 5 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)CsA和25 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)CsA,分别在第1、2、3周时处死大鼠。利用HE染色观察心肌组织形态结构,Masson染色观察心肌胶原沉积情况,免疫组织化学和Western blot法检测MMP2、MMP9、TIMP2和TIMP1蛋白的表达情况。结果:HE染色可见,随着CsA作用时间的延长和剂量的增加,心肌组织形态结构损伤严重,逐渐出现心肌灶状坏死及纤维化。Masson染色结果亦可见心肌纤维化程度随着时间和剂量的增加逐渐加重。免疫组织化学及Western blot检测结果显示,在CsA导致大鼠心肌纤维化的过程中,同一时点MMP2和TIMP2随CsA剂量增加表达显著增高(P 0. 05)。第1周MMP2高表达,随着时间的延长表达逐渐减低; TIMP2则随时间延长表达逐渐增高(P 0. 05)。与对照组相比MMP9和TIMP1表达则减低。各用药组MMP9第1周低表达,第2周表达增高,第3周表达减低(P 0. 05);同一时点,CsA对于MMP9表达变化的差异无统计学显著性。TIMP1随CsA剂量增加表达增高(P 0. 05)。结论:CsA可引起大鼠心肌损伤及间质纤维化,随着用药时间的延长和剂量的增加,纤维化程度逐渐加重。CsA诱导的大鼠心肌纤维化与MMPs/TIMPs表达的改变及MMPs/TIMPs的失衡有关。     

胸腺上皮肿瘤组织中基质金属蛋白酶-2活性与Ⅰ型膜型基质金属蛋白酶 mRNA表达的相关性

目的探讨胸腺瘤和胸腺癌中基质金属蛋白酶（MMP）-2、Ⅰ型膜型（MT1）-MMP、金属蛋白酶组织抑制剂（TIMP）-2mRNA的表达和MMP-2蛋白活性的关系。方法分别用real-time逆转录．聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR,Taqman法）、明胶酶谱法和Filmin situ gelatin-Zymography（FIZ）对正常的胸腺组织（2例）、胸腺瘤（12例）和胸腺癌（2例）患者的新鲜肿瘤组织中MMP-2、MT1-MMP、TIMP-2mRNA的表达,pro-MMP-2的活性率及活性蛋白的定位进行测定。结果MMP-2、MT1-MMP及TIMP-2mRNA在Ⅰ期与Ⅱ期和Ⅲ期与Ⅳ期中的表达差异均无统计学意义（P〉0．05）,在Ⅰ～Ⅱ期与Ⅲ～Ⅳ期和胸腺癌3组中差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。在AB、B1型（混合型和淋巴细胞为主型）与B2、B3型（皮质型和多角细胞为主型）以及胸腺癌3组中差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。MMP-2的蛋白活性率（MMP-2／pro—MMP-2＋MMP-2）在Ⅰ～Ⅱ期、Ⅲ～Ⅳ期和胸腺癌各组中差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）,在AB、B1型与B2、B3型以及胸腺癌各组中的差异均具有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。胸腺瘤各期及各型中MT1-MMP、TIMP-2mRNA与MMP-2蛋白活性表达均呈正相关,且相关程度相似（r=0．7235、r=0．7647、P〈0．005）。MMP-9的蛋白表达在各组间差异均无统计学意义。结论MMP-2、MT1-MMP及TIMP-2的mRNA表达与胸腺瘤临床分期、病理分型相关,MMP-2的活性与MT1-MMP和TIMP-2的表达升高正相关。推测MT1-MMP通过TIMP-2对MMP-2的激活起促进作用。     

Expression of matrix metalloproteinases in benign and malignant follicular thyroid lesions

AIMS: To examine expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and related proteins in follicular thyroid lesions (FTLs) and to determine their usefulness for differential diagnosis of FTLs, particularly between minimally invasive carcinoma and adenoma. METHODS AND RESULTS: Six widely invasive follicular carcinomas (WIFCs), 15 minimally invasive follicular carcinomas (MIFCs), 19 follicular adenomas (FAs) and 10 adenomatous goitres (AGs) were analysed immunohistochemically for MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-9, membrane-type 1-MMP (MT1-MMP) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2). MMP-1 was positive in all FTLs. MMP-2 and MMP-7 were positive in more than 80% of WIFC and MIFC cases, whereas they were negative in all FA and AG cases except one MMP-2+ FA (P < 0.001). MMP-9 stained positive significantly more in MIFC than FA or AG cases (P < 0.05, respectively). The positivity of MT1-MMP and TIMP-2 was different among some of the FTLs, but with no significant difference between MIFC and FA cases. In-situ hybridization of MMP-2 and MMP-7 mRNA in selected cases demonstrated the expression of these enzymes in the tumour cells as well as in some stromal cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm MMP expression mainly in malignant FTLs and suggest that MMP-2 and MMP-7 may be useful markers to distinguish MIFC from FA.     

Gelatin zymography and substrate cleavage assays of matrix metalloproteinase-2 in breast carcinoma cells overexpressing membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase

Gelatin zymography is the common method for examining matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in cells and media samples. Activation of the latent MMP-2 zymogen involves its binding to the cell surface MT1-MMP*TIMP-2 (membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase/tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-2) complex with subsequent cleavage of proMMP-2 by TIMP-2-free adjacent MT1-MMP. This is followed by autolytic maturation of the activation intermediate and the release of the mature MMP-2 species from cell surfaces into the extracellular milieu. To observe the MMP-2 activation pathway in more detail, proMMP-2-deficient MCF7 breast carcinoma cells expressing MT1-MMP were incubated with excess proMMP-2 to saturate the available MT1-MMP*TIMP-2 surface receptors. After removal of the unbound material, the kinetics of proMMP-2 activation and MMP-2 release from cells into media was monitored by gelatin zymography and substrate cleavage. Our observations demonstrate that gelatin zymography is insufficient for providing meaningful information about the status of MMP-2. The proteolytically competent mature MMP-2 moiety alone, but not in its complex with TIMP-2, was released from the cells. In tissue culture conditions, the enzyme's proteolytic activity was suppressed in the next 30 to 60 minutes by tissue inhibitors of MMPs, especially by TIMP-1. The picture emerges that there is a likely temporal regulation of MMP-2 activity by TIMPs in tumor cells. These relatively rapid changes of the MMP-2 status cannot be detected by gelatin zymography. Additional studies are needed to examine the significance of this phenomenon in vivo.     

Clinical significance of expression of membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase and matrix metalloproteinase-2 in human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Three different membrane-type matrix metalloproteinases (MT-MMPs) activate in vitro the latent form of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), which is one of the key proteinases in invasion and metastasis of various cancers. We examined the mRNA expression of MT1, 2, and 3-MMPs and MMP-2 in cell lines of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and quantitated the relative expression levels in human HNSCC tissues by Northern blotting. The tissue localization of MT1-MMP and MMP-2 was determined by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. Their implications in clinicopathologic factors were statistically evaluated. All cell lines examined consistently expressed MT1-MMP and MMP-2, but not MT2, 3-MMP. In the clinical specimens, there was a significant correlation in coexpression of messenger of RNA (P = .0005) and colocalization by immunohistochemistry (P < .0001) for MT1-MMP and MMP-2. Relative mRNA expression levels of MT1-MMP and MMP-2 in the carcinoma tissues were significantly higher than those of the control tissues (P = .0045 and P = .0122, respectively). Both mRNA expression level and immunopositivity of MT1-MMP significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis (P = .0081 and P = .0193, respectively), which was confirmed by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Immunoreaction of MT1-MMP and its mRNA expression were observed in both carcinoma cells and stromal cells. The localization of MMP-2 closely corresponded to that of MT1-MMP. These observations suggest that MT1-MMP possesses a role as a determinant of lymph node metastasis in HNSCC, and that concurrent expression of MT1-MMP and MMP-2 are involved in progression of HNSCC.     

Survivin, MMP-2, MT1-MMP, and TIMP-2: their impact on survival, implantation, and proliferation of endometriotic tissues

In order to study survivin, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2), membranous type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP), and tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) expression immunohistochemically in endometriotic tissues and normal endometrium, our retrospective study considered 194 patients affected by endometriosis and 71 patients with normal endometrium. Tissue microarrays were created from paraffin-embedded blocks; immunohistochemistry was used to assess protein expression. In endometriotic tissues, survivin was expressed at a higher level than in normal endometrium; its glandular expression level was higher in non-ovarian than in ovarian endometriotic tissues and lower in stromal components. Endometrial tissues from women without endometriosis and endometriotic tissues had different matrix metalloproteinase expression profiles. MMP-2 and MT1-MMP correlated with TIMP-2 in endometriotic tissues. Furthermore, in endometriotic tissues, expression of survivin, aurora B kinase, and Ki-67 showed a significant positive correlation, which indicates a role in cellular proliferation that could be closely linked to its anti-apoptotic activity in endometriosis development. Our results imply a role for matrix metalloproteinases in endometriosis invasiveness; correlation of their expression with that of TIMP-2 underscores its possible key regulatory role.     

Selective progesterone receptor modulator asoprisnil down-regulates collagen synthesis in cultured human uterine leiomyoma cells through up-regulating extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer

BACKGROUND: A recent clinical trial demonstrated that selective progesterone receptor modulator asoprisnil is effective in reducing uterine leiomyoma volume. We investigated the effects of asoprisnil in vitro on the expression of the extracellular matrix (ECM)-remodeling enzymes and collagens in cultured leiomyoma and matching normal myometrial cells. METHODS: The expression of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), tissue inhibitors of MMP (TIMPs) and collagens were assessed by western blot analysis. RESULTS: Untreated cultured leiomyoma cells had significantly lower EMMPRIN (P < 0.05), MMP-1 (P < 0.05) and membrane type 1-MMP (MT1-MMP) (P < 0.01) protein contents, but significantly higher TIMP-1 (P < 0.05), TIMP-2 (P < 0.01), type I (P < 0.05) and type III (P < 0.01) collagen protein contents compared with untreated cultured myometrial cells. Treatment with asoprisnil at concentrations > or =10(-7) M for 48 h significantly (P < 0.05) increased EMMPRIN, MMP-1 and MT1-MMP protein contents, and decreased TIMP-1 (P < 0.05), TIMP-2 (P < 0.01), type I (P < 0.01) and type III (P < 0.05 at 10(-7) M; P < 0.01 at 10(-6) M) collagen protein contents in cultured leiomyoma cells compared with control cultures. However, asoprisnil treatment did not affect the protein contents of ECM-remodeling enzymes and collagens in cultured myometrial cells. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that asoprisnil may reduce collagen deposit in the ECM of cultured leiomyoma cells through decreasing collagen synthesis and enhancing the expression of EMMPRIN, MMPs and TIMPs without comparable effects on cultured myometrial cells.     

Differential expression patterns of MMPs and their role in the invasion of epithelial premalignant tumors and invasive cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

Co-expression of several members of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family is characteristic of human malignant tumors. MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-2, and MT1-MMP are thought to be involved in the process of destruction of basement membranes and stromal invasion by neoplastic epithelial cells. In this study, we investigated the expression and role of MMPs in cutaneous oncogenesis. Tissue microarray consisting of 62 squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), 32 Bowen's disease (BD) samples, 25 normal epidermis samples were obtained for the study. MMP-2,-9, MT1-MMP and TIMP-2 proteins were examined by immunohistochemical staining and mRNA level was detected by quantitative RT-PCR in fresh tissues consisting of 5 cutaneous SCCs and paired normal epidermis samples. Gelatinase activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was investigated by gelatin zymography and protein levels of MT1-MMP and TIMP-2 were measured by western blot in 2 human SCC cell lines. The invasive property was evaluated with invasion assays using Transwell filters. SCC exhibited significantly increased MMP-2, MT1-MMP and decreased TIMP-2 mRNA and protein expression compared to that of the normal epithelium. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that MT1-MMP was strongly expressed on the invasive front of SCCs, whereas BD exhibited higher expression around the dyskeratotic cells in the epithelium. In comparison with the expression observed in BD, SCC exhibited significantly increased MMP-2 expression. In addition, high MMP-2 and MT1-MMP expression and low TIMP-2 expression had a significant positive correlation with the invasiveness of SCC cell lines in vitro. Our results revealed significantly increased MT1-MMP and MMP-2 expression and decreased TIMP-2 expression in cutaneous SCC, and the expression correlated with the invasiveness of SCC cell lines. Therefore, the expression of these factors in cutaneous tumors may serve as an indicator of tumor aggressiveness and invasion.     

Coexpression of cyclooxygenase-2 and matrix metalloproteinases in human aortic atherosclerotic lesions

Inflammation appears to have a major role in the development of atherosclerosis. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is involved in the inflammatory response via the generation of prostanoids that, in turn, are involved in the production of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). This study aimed to investigate atherosclerosis in human aortas for in situ tissue distribution of COX-2, MMPs including MMP-9 and membrane type 1 MMP (MT1-MMP), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2). Immunohistochemical studies were performed on atherosclerotic lesions of aortas from patients with aortic aneurysms (n = 4) and dissections (n = 3) by using antibodies to COX-2, MMP-9, MT1-MMP, and TIMP-2. Control tissues were obtained from traumatically dissected aortas (n = 2). All specimens from diseased aortas had atherosclerotic lesions ranging from fatty streak to atheromatous plaques. In control, there was no expression of COX-2, MMP-9, and MT1-MMP in all aortic layers. Immunoreactivity for COX-2 was predominantly noted in macrophages and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) of the intima including atherosclerotic plaque itself and the medial layer of the plaque base, as well as in SMCs and endothelial lining of the vasa vasorum in the adventitia. Immunoreactivity for MMP-9 and MT1-MMP was found in the same distribution as that of COX-2. Additionally, the expression of TIMP-2 increased in relation to MMP-9 expression. This study demonstrates that COX-2 is coexpressed with MMP-9 and MT1-MMP, not only by macrophages and SMCs in atherosclerotic lesions, but also in endothelial lining of the vasa vasorum of human aortas. Thus, vascular inflammatory reactions may influence extracellular matrix remodeling by coactivation of MMPs in the development of atherosclerosis and, in turn, the progression of disease.