Expression And Analysis Of VEGF,MMP-2 And TIMP-2 In Endometriosis

Objectives We investigated expression of MMP-2,TIMP-2 and VEGF in sera, peritoneal fluid and tissue from women with and without endometriosis in order to explore the role of MMP-2,TIMP-2 and VEGF in endometriosis and provide a theoretical basis for clinical diagnoses and theragy.Methods We collected Serum ,Peritoneal Fluid,ectopic endometrial tissue and endometrial tissue from women with and without endometriosis. VEGF content were determined by ELISA. Cellular localization and expression of VEGF ,. MMP-2 and TIMP-2 protein were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Expression of MMP-2, TIMP-2mRNA were evaluated by in situ hybridization.Results (1) The level of VEGF in sera and PF of patients with EM in each stape was significantly higher than that in controls(p<0.01). The level of VEGF in stage I/2 was significantly higher than that in stage 3/4 (p<0.05). Median concentration of VEGF in PF was significantly higher than that in sera in each group. Both uterine endometrium and ectopic endometriotic tissue from women with endometriosis expressed significantly (p<0.05) higher level of VEGF than endometrium from normal women. The level of VEGF protein pression in stage I / II was significantly higher than that in stafe 3/IV(p<0.05). (2)Both ectopic and entopic endometrium expressed higher levels of MMP-2 and lower levels of TIMP-2 than endometrium from normal women. Also, ectopic endometrium expressed higher levels of MMP-2 and lower level of TIMP-2 than entopic endometrium from endometriosis patients. The higher levels of MMP-2 and the lower levels of TIMP-2 protein pression.in stage III/ IV than in stage I /II. (3)There was significantly negtive correlation between expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in normal endometrium. (4)There was significantly positive correlation between expression of MMP-2 and VEGF inHIectopic and eutopic endometrium endometriosis.(S) There was significantly positive correlation between expression of VEGF in ectopic endometrium and in Peritoneal Fluid from endometriosis patients.Conclusions Unusual levels of VEGF in PF of EM patients may be the possible or part reason to change the microenvironment of the peritoneal cavity. Ectopic and eutopic endometrium form endometriosis patients may be more invasive and prone to peritoneal implantation because of greater MMP-2 and less TIMP-2 mRNA expression than endometrium form women without endometriosis. VEGF is overexpressed in endometriosis tissues, which can make ectopic endometrial tissues having a greated capacity of angiogenesis. MMP-2, TIMP-2 and VEGF play an important role in the progression of endometriosis.