The Expression And Significance Of Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 In Endometriosis

Objective To investigate the expression of matrix metalloproteinase -2 (MMP-2) in eutopic and ectopic endometrium from woman with endometriosis,thereby to detennine the role of matrix metalloproteinase-2 in the pathogenesis of endometriosis Methods Reverse transcription -polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemical streptavidin-peroxidase(S-P) were employed to detect the gene and protein of MMP-2 in 50 ectopic endometrium and 22 eutopic endometrium from woman with endometriosis and 20 normal control endometrium. Results (1) The relative amounts of MMP-2 gene in ectopic endometrium was (0.6210 ± 0.0870),and significantly higher than that in eutopic endometrium from women with (0.5360 ± 0.0840) and without (0.5170 ± 0.0760)endometriosis, (P<0.01; P<0.05) .(2)the expression of MMP-2 was observed in both gland epidermis and strome of the endometriotic tissues,and their expression level was higher than that in the normal endometrium (p<0.05 ) ;and their expression was irrespective of the phase of menstrual cycle because no difference was found between proliferous and secretory endometriotic endometrium.(3)The expression of gene and protein of MMP-2 in eutopic endometrium from women with and without endometriosis, were all significantly relevant to the phase of the menstrual cycle(P<0.05 ),while those in ectopic endometrium was not(p>0.05).(4) The expression of MMP-2 gene and protein of in stage IV was irrespective of the clinical stage(p>0.05).Conclusion:(1) Endometriotic tissues have capacity to express MMP-2 and they are obviously over expressed than in normal endometrium, which make ectopic endometrial tissue have greater capacity to invade peritoneal and surrounding tissues and which may play an important role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis (2)the expression of MMP-2 in ectopic endometrium from endometriosis patiant is higher than that in normal endometrium ,and as endometriosis clinical stage increase ,the expression of MMP-2 didnot strengthen, which play an vital role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis and lead to endometriosis progression (3)the expression of MMP-2 in ectopic endometrium of endometriosis lost menstrual cycle expression in normal endometrium, which may be one of failure reason of hormone thereby to endometriosis.