Korean J Pathol.  2003 Feb;37(1):1-9.

Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 and TIMP-2 in Adenocarcinomas of The Gallbladder

• Bae JY
• Choi J
• Chung HC
• Park C
• Park YN

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 degrade type IV collagen and are antagonized by the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-2 and TIMP-1, respectively.
METHODS
We studied by immunohistochemistry the expressions of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in 72 cases of adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder.
RESULTS
The MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 expressions were significantly higher in well/moderately differentiated adenocarcinomas than in poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas, in adenocarcinomas that had invaded the lamina propria/proper muscle than in those that had invaded the perimuscular connective tissue or beyond the serosa, and in adenocarcinomas with fungating growth than in those with infiltrative growth. The TIMP-2 expression showed a similar pattern without statistical significance. Regarding the status of lymph node metastasis, the MMP-2 expression was significantly higher in cases without lymph node metastasis. The MMP-2 and MMP-9 expressions were significantly related to those of TIMP-2 and TIMP-1, respectively, with regard to depth of invasion, differentiation, and growth patterns of the adenocarcinomas.
CONCLUSIONS
MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 are suggested to play important roles in the progression to early invasion of adenocarcinomas, in which the function of MMP-2 is inhibited by TIMP-2.

Keyword

Gallbladder Neoplasms; Matrix Metalloproteinases; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases; Immunohistochemistry

MeSH Terms

Adenocarcinoma*
Collagen Type IV
Connective Tissue
Gallbladder Neoplasms
Gallbladder*
Immunohistochemistry
Lymph Nodes
Matrix Metalloproteinases
Neoplasm Metastasis
Serous Membrane
Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1
Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2*
Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases
Collagen Type IV
Matrix Metalloproteinases
Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1
Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2
Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases