The Expression Of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), Matrix Meltalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) And Tissue Inhibitor Of Metalloproteinase-3 (TIMP-3) In Endometriosis

Objective To investigate the role of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), matrix meltalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3 (TIMP-3) in the pathogenesis of endometriosis.Methods Immunohistochemical S-P method was employed to detect the expression of MMP-9, MMP-3 and TIMP-3 in ectopic endometriotic tissue and eutopic endometrium from women with endometriosis (43 cases) and the normal controls(19 cases). Sliver impregnation was used to investigate the integrity of the basement membrane under the glands. ,Results The expression of MMP-9 in gland cells, and that of MMP-3 in stroma cells in the ectipic endometriotic tissues were significantly higher than those of uterine endometrium from women with and without endometrosis(P<0.01 p<0.001).The expression of MMP-3 was higher than that of MMP-9 in the stroma of the endometriotic tissues.The expression of TIMP-3 in the eutopic and ectopic endometrium of the patients with endometrosis was lower than that in the normal endometrium (P<0.01).And there was no difference between the ectopic tissues and the eutopic endometrium from women with endometriosis(P>0.05).The staining of MMP-3 in stroma of ovarican endometriotic tissues was stronger than that in blue peritoneallesion (PO.05).Sliver impregnantion showed the ratio of MMP-9/TIMP-3 was related inversely to the integrity of the basement membrane in gland in the eutopic and ectipic endometriosis.there was no obvious correlation between the stage and the expression of MMP-9,MMP-3andTIMP-3.Conclusions The greater expression of MMP-9 and MMP-3,and the less expression of TIMP-3 in the ectopic endometriotic tissues result in the higher ratio of MMPs/TIMPs,which contribute to the pathogenosis of endometriosis.