Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1 and -2 (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2) mRNA and antigens location in the liver of patients with cirrhosis / 中华传染病杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the expression and distribution of TIMP 1 and TIMP 2 in liver tissue of cirrhosis patient and to investigate the roles and pathogenesis of TIMP 1 and TIMP 2 in liver cirrhosis. Methods TIMP 1 and TIMP 2 proteins and mRNA were detected with immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization methods using monoclonal antibodies and cDNA probes. Results mRNA and proteins of TIMP 1 and TIMP 2 were detected in all the liver tissues from 40 liver cirrhosis patients, all in cytoplasm but not nucleus. TIMP 1 and TIMP 2 were found co exist in all samples, while TIMP 1 concentration was higher. Conclusions mRNA and protein of TIMP 1 and TIMP 2 are found in all the cirrhosis patient samples. Liver TIMP 1 and TIMP 2 concentrations increase with the progression of liver cirrhosis, decrease the degradation of extracellular matrix proteins, resulting in the initiation and the development of liver fibrosis and liver cirrhosis.