Korean J Gynecol Oncol.  2006 Mar;17(1):54-61.

The expression of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) in epithelial serous ovarian tumors

• Kim TJ
• Choi YL
• Choi CH
• Lee JW
• Kim BG
• Bae DS
• Lee JH

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) play a key role in maintaining homeostasis of the extracellular matrix (ECM) by controlling matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). In addition to their role in regulating MMPs, TIMPs have also been shown to have pluripotential effects on cell growth, apoptosis and differentiation. The aim of this study was to examine TIMP-2 level in serous ovarian tumor tissues and to understand further the role of TIMP-2 protein in ovarian tumorigenesis.
METHODS
Expression of TIMP-2 was assessed by immunohistochemistry in a total of 57 ovarian specimens including five normal ovaries, 12 benign serous cystadenomas, 20 serous borderline tumors and 20 serous carcinomas.
RESULTS
The present study found that TIMP-2 immunostaining was significantly more frequent in serous carcinomas, mainly in tumor epithelium, compared with cells of the other tissues studied.
CONCLUSION
TIMP-2 in serous ovarian carcinoma may function to favor tumor growth in serous ovarian tumorigenesis. Additional research is now needed to elucidate further the role of TIMP-2 in the biological behavior of ovarian serous tumors.

Keyword

TIMP-2; Ovarian Neoplasms; Serous Tumor; Immunohistochemistry

MeSH Terms

Apoptosis
Carcinogenesis
Cystadenoma, Serous
Epithelium
Extracellular Matrix
Female
Homeostasis
Immunohistochemistry
Matrix Metalloproteinases
Metalloproteases
Ovarian Neoplasms
Ovary
Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2
Matrix Metalloproteinases
Metalloproteases
Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2