Expression Of Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP-2, MMP-9) And Tissue Inhibitors Of Matrix Metalloproteinase (TIMP-2, TIMP-1) In Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Objective: To explore the expression and clinical prognostic significance of Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP-2, MMP-9) and Tissue Inhibitors of Metalloproteinase (TIMP-2, TIMP-1) in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Methods: Tissue sections from 60 HCC patients were detected using immunohistochemistry technique and statistical analysis for protein expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-2, TIMP-1 and MVD(CD34 labelling). Results: 1)The positive expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in the 60 HCC tissues was 35(58. 3% ). 33 (55.0%). 25 (41. 7% ). 29 (48. 3% ), respectively, and was markedly higher than in adjacent nontumor liver tissues (p<0. 05). 2) In HCC without encapsulation, or in III-IV tumor grade, or with portal vein tumor thrombin, or with recurrence after operation, the expression of MMP-2 , MMP-9 was significantly increased (P<0. 05). 3) The expression of TIMP-2, TIMP-1 in HCC with or without encapsulation was significantly different (p<0. 01; p<0. 05). In HCC in III-IV tumor grade, or with portal vein tumor thrombin, or with recurrence after operation, the expression of TIMP-1 was decreased (p<0.05), but the expression of TIMP-2 had no difference(P>0.05). 4)The expression of MVD(CD34 labelling ) was correlated with tumor diameter, tumor grade, tumor differentiation, portal vein tumor thrombin and recurrence after operation regardless of age, sex, HBV, AFP, tumor number and encapsulation. 5)The expression of MVD was significantly higher in the MMP-2 positive or MMP-9 positive group than in the negative one(p<0. 05), but it was lower in the TIMP-1 positive group than in the negative one(p<0. 05). There was no correlation between TIMP-2 and MVD(p>0.05). Conclusions: l)the imbalance of MMP-2/ TIMP-2, MMP-9/TIMP-1 played pivotal roles in occurrence, development and tumor angiogenesis of...