MMP-2/TIMP-2 expression in the trophoblasts of patients with gestational trophoblastic disease / 南方医科大学学报

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the role of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and tissue inhibitor of MMP-2 (TIMP-2) in the pathogenesis, development and prognosis of gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry were utilized for MMP-2/TIMP-2 mRNA and protein detection in normal chorion of women with early gestation, hydatidiform mole, invasive mole, or choricarcinoma.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The results revealed that specific staining for mRNA and protein of MMP-2 and the expression of TIMP-2 was reduced in normal chorion of early gestation. In GTD ranging from hydatidiform mole, invasive mole to choricarcinoma, MMP-2 expression tended to increase while TIMP-2 expression underwent an invert change. The positivity rate of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in gestational trophoblastic tumor group was higher than that of the normal chorion of early gestation group and hydatiform mole group (P<0.05 and P<0.001, respectively).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A disrupted balance between the activation and inhibition of MMP-2 plays a critical role in the pathogenesis, progression and metastasis of GTD.</p>