Potent role of matrix metalloproteinases and its tissue inhibitors on the local invasiveness and metastasis of human pancreatic cancer / 医学研究生学报

ABSTRACT

Objectives:To evaluate the potent role of matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs) and its tissue inhibitors(TIMPs) in the processes of metastasis and local invasiveness of Chinese human ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas,and to evaluate the possible biologic association between its gene expression and the clinical manifestations.Methods:Northern-blot and in-situ hybridization has shown MMPs and TIMPs gene expression in the pancreas and alterations associated with neoplastic transformation.Fifteen cases of surgical pancreatic specimens were examined with cDNA probes to MMP2,MMP9 and TIMP1,findings were correlated with the size of tumor section,CA19-9,pathological classification,thrombosis and infiltration of capsule and lymph nodes.Results:Increased levels of genes mRNA from MMP2,MMP9 and TIMP1 were found in the examined pancreatic cancer tissues,MMP2≈MMP9＜TIMP1,whereas low levels of transcripts for MMP2,MMP9 and TIMP1 were detectable in pancreata of organ donors.Transcripts coding for MMP2,MMP9,TIMP1 were found in both stroma and tumor cells.Gene expression of MMP2,MMP9 and TIMP1 has shown an obvious correlation with the infiltration of capsule cells,surrounding lymph nodes and the specific histopathological features.Conclusions:Imbalance between MMPs and TIMPs may help physicians to assess the metastatic potential and the prognosis of individual patients.