The Study Of Expression Of Type Ⅳ Collagenases And Their Tissue Inhibitors In Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma

PurposeTo investigate expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2,-9(MMP-2,-9) and tussue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-l,-2(TIMP-l,-2) in cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) and the relationship between their expression and the biological behavior of SCC. The aims of the study are to provide valuable information for early diagnosis of invasion and metastasis, treatment and follow-up of cutaneous SCC.MethodsImmunohistochemical detection of the expression of MMP-2,-9 and TIMP-1,-2 proteins were performed on paraffin embedded sections of 65 cases of cutaneous SCC and 5 cases of normal epidermis, The immunohistochemical results were analyzed quantitatively using an image quantification analysis system. The expression of the four proteins and the ratio of MMP9/TIMP1 and MMP2/TIMP2 were compared between SCC group in situ and aggressive SCC group , and explored the relationship between the expression and ratio and the biological behavior of aggressive SCC.ResultsMMP-2,-9 and TIMP-1,-2 proteins were universally expressed in tumor nest and the mesenchymal cells , while in normal epidermis only MMP-9 was faint positive. The expression level of MMP9 protein and the ratio of MMP9/TIMP-1 was higher in aggressive SCC group than in SCC group in situ . The ratio of MMP9/TIMP-1 was higher in the positive lymph node metastasis group than in the negative group .The expression level of four proteins and the ratio of MMP9/TIMP1 and MMP2/TIMP2 did not correlated with the size of tumor , histologic differentiation, histolopathological classification.Conclusions1 MMP-2,-9 and TIMP-1,-2 proteins participate in the invasion and metastasis of cutaneous SCC.2 The level of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 protein expression and the ratio of MMP9/TIMP1 correlate with the aggressive behavior of cutaneous SCC, the higher level of MMP9 protein expression and the lower level of TIMP-1 protein expression, result in the overexpression of MMP-9 protein , the higher ratio of MMP9/TIMPl(the imbalance between MMP and TIMP) may indicate higher level of invasion and metastasis of tumor tissue.3 The higher ratio of MMP9/TIMP1, combined with clinical and histopathological examinationm, may be helpful in the early diagnosis of infiltration and metastasis ,treatment and follow-up of cutaneous SCC.