Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine

Original Articles

Stromelysin-3 Expression in Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions and Invasive Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Uterine Cervix.: Yoo Duk Choi, Eun Jung Park, Jong Hee Nam, Chang Soo Park; Korean J Pathol. 2002;36(6):389-393.

Abstract PDF: BACKGROUND
Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) plays an important role in the invasion and metastasis of epithelial neoplasms. Currently, detected stromelysin-3 (ST-3) (MMP-11) is thought to be associated with invasiveness in epithelial neoplasms. However, the study of the expression of stromelysin-3 in the uterine cervix is yet to be delineated.
METHODS
Stromelysin-3 expression in cervical invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and in squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) having potentiality to become invasive was studied by immunohistochemical analysis. We examined the correlation between ST-3 expression and the histopathological parameters of the invasive carcinoma, including growth pattern, lymph node involvement, and degrees of differentiation.
RESULTS
The stromelysin expression rates were as follows; 8.3% in low grade SIL (LSIL), 18.9% in High grade SIL (HSIL), and 75.6% in SCC. A statistical difference in the expression difference was exhibited only between invasive SCC and SIL, but not between LSIL and HSIL, even though HSIL showed a higher expression rate than LSIL. No significant association was found in invasive SCC between ST-3 expression and histopathological parameters.
CONCLUSIONS
ST-3 expression is associated with tumor invasiveness in squamous lesions of the uterine cervix and not with histopathological parameters in invasive SCC.

Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 and TIMP-2 in Adenocarcinomas of The Gallbladder.: Jong Yup Bae, Jinsub Choi, Hyun Cheol Chung, Chanil Park, Young Nyun Park; Korean J Pathol. 2003;37(1):1-9.

Abstract PDF: 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.

Expression of VEGF, MMP-9 and Neovascularization in Relationship to the Clinical Behavior of Giant Cell Tumors of Bone.: Kyung Hwa Lee, Jo Heon Kim, Min Keun Shim, Chang Woo Han, Sung Sun Kim, Sang Woo Juhng, Sung Taek Jung, Jae Hyuk Lee; Korean J Pathol. 2006;40(6):420-426.

Abstract PDF: BACKGROUND
Giant cell tumors (GCT(s)) of bone are benign but can be locally aggressive neoplasms. Their clinical behavior has been difficult to predict on the basis of histology alone. This study investigated the neovascularization and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as well as matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in GCT(s) of bone; in addition we evaluated their relationship to clinical behavior.
METHODS
We evaluated the microvessel number and density in 33 samples of giant cell tumor using CD34 immunohistochemistry. In addition, we examined the immunohistochemical expression of VEGF and MMP-9.
RESULTS
The microvessel number alone, not the microvessel density, had statistical association with the clinical stage of GCT(s) (p=0.045). The proportion of cases with strong expression of VEGF increased with advancing clinical stage, however, these results were not statistically significant (p=0.257). The percentage of the cases with strong expression of MMP-9 also increased with advancing clinical stage and this was statistically significant (p=0.022).
CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that intratumor microvessel count and the expression of MMP-9 correlate with GCT stage. Evaluation of their expression may therefore provide prognostic information on the aggressive behavior of GCT(s) of bone.

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