Expression Of Matrix Metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2), Tissue Inhibitor Of Metalloproteinase-1(MMP-1) And Tissue Inhibitor Of Metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2) In Astrocytoma

Objective:To study the expressions ofmetalloproteinase-2(MMP-2) ,tissue inhibitor ofmetalloproteinase-l(TIMP-l) and tissue inhibitor ifmetalloproteinase-2(TIMP-2) in astrocytomas and their relationship to thepathologic grade and clinical behavier.Methods: Expression ofMMP-2,TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were detected in 52 cases of astrocytoma by immunonhisto-chemical(SP)staining using monoclonal mouse ant MMP-2, monoclonal mouse ant TIMP-1 and monoclonal mouse ant TIMP-2.Results:Positive staining for MMP-2,TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were localized not only inside the cytoplasm of part of tumor cells but also in endothelial cells;In normal brain ,MMP-2,TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 was detected primarily in endothelial cells.We observed a significant difference of the expression rate ( x 2= 6.222~ 10.185, P<0.05) and expression level ( H=7.966 ~ 10.353 , P<0.05 ) among astropcyuoma (WHOII), anaplantic astrocytoma (WHOIII) and glioblastoma(WHOIV).Conclusions:The overexpression of MMP-2,TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 are closely correlated to development of the invasion activity of human astrocytoma.And the balance between MMPs and TIMPs has an important role to play in human brain tumors. MMP-2 TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 may also play an important role in the tumour angiogeneses and invasion.In our study we found the phenomena of tumor tissue heterogenity,which may closely correlated to the tumour bilogical characteristic .