Association between Gene Polymorphisms and SNP-SNP Interactions of the Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 Signaling Pathway and the Risk of Vascular Senescence

Objective This study aimed to explore the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNP)in the matrix metalloproteinase 2(MMP-2)signaling pathway and the risk of vascular senescence(VS).Methods In this cross-sectional study,between May and November 2022,peripheral venous blood of151 VS patients(case group)and 233 volunteers(control group)were collected.Fourteen SNPs were identified in five genes encoding the components of the MMP-2 signaling pathway,assessed through carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity(cf PWV),and analyzed using multivariate logistic regression.The multigene influence on the risk of VS was assessed using multifactor dimensionality reduction(MDR)and generalized multifactor dimensionality regression(GMDR)modeling.Results Within the multivariate logistic regression models,four SNPs were screened to have significant associations with VS:chemokine(C-C motif)ligand 2(CCL2)rs4586,MMP2 rs14070,MMP2rs7201,and MMP2 rs1053605.Carriers of the T/C genotype of MMP2 rs14070 had a 2.17-fold increased risk of developing VS compared with those of the C/C genotype,and those of the T/T genotype had a19.375-fold increased risk.CCL2 rs4586 and MMP-2 rs14070 exhibited the most significant interactions.Conclusion CCL2 rs4586,MMP-2 rs14070,MMP-2 rs7201,and MMP-2 rs1053605 polymorphisms were significantly associated with the risk of VS.

Correlation of matrix metalloproteinase－2, －9, tissue inhibitor－1 of matrix metalloproteinase and CD44 variant 6 in head and neck cancer metastasis

This study aimed to explore the molecular mechanism in tumor invasion and metastasis. The expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2, 9 (MMP 2, MMP 9), tissue inhibitor 1 of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP 1), cell adhesion molecule 44 variant 6 (CD44v6), HER2/neu and p53 was investigated in 154 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) by ABC and ImmunoMax immunohistochemical method. Their clinical relevance and correlation were analysed. The expression of MMP 2, MMP 9, TIMP 1, CD44v6, HER2/neu and p53 was found in cancer cells in 87.01%, 85.71%, 68.18%, 98.05%, 55.19% and 50.65% cases respectively. Linear regression and correlation analysis revealed that there was close positive relationship ( P <0.05) between the expression of MMP 2 and MMP 9, TIMP 1 and CD44v6, HER2/neu and MMP 9, MMP 2 and p53. Up regulation of MMP 2 was accompanied by advanced T stage ( P <0.01) . There was also a trend of MMP 2 expression being related with tumor metastasis. Increased expression of HER2/neu was found in patients with tumor recurrence( P <0.05). The expression of TIMP 1 was higher in laryngeal cancer than that in pharyngeal cancer, and higher in keratinizing and non keratinizing SCC than that in basaloid SCC( P <0.05). These findings suggested that MMP 2 and MMP 9, HER2/neu and MMP 9, MMP 2 and p53 had a coordinate function in aggression of tumor; that MMP 2 had a more important function than MMP 9 in tumor invasion and metastasis; and that HER2/neu might serve as a biomarker for poor prognosis in HNSCC.

Immunohistochemical Studies of the Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 and Metalloproteinase-9 in Human Prostate Cancer

To study the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 and 9 in human prostate cancer, matrix metalloproteinase 2 and 9 were immunohistochemically detected in tissues of prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Our results showed that matrix metalloproteinase 2 and 9 levels in prostate cancer were much higher than those in tissues of BPH, with the cancer invasion being positively correlated with the expression of the metalloproteinases. It is concluded that matrix metalloproteinase 2 and 9 are better molecular markers, which are of help in the diagnosis and prediction of prognosis of prostate cancer.

The Effect of 17 β-Estradiol on Invasion by the Ovarian Clear Cell Adenocarcinoma Cell Line ES-2 and the Molecular Mechanism Involved

OBJECTIVE To assess the effect of 17 β-estradiol（E2） on cell proliferation, cell invasiveness and its regulation of MTA3, Snail and matrix metalloproteinase 2 （MMP-2） expression in the ovarian clear cell adenocarcinoma cell line ES-2, and to further investigate the mechanism involved. METHODS We first investigated expression of ERα, ERβ, PR and E-cadherin of ES-2 cells by RT-PCR and Western blots. Before all experiments, the ES-2 cells were grown in medium depleted of steroid for more than 7 days. Following treatment with 10^-7,10^-8 and 10^-9 M E2, cell viability of the ES-2 cells was determined by the MTT method, and the cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were examined by flow cytometry （FCM）. Invasion and mobility assays were performed using modified Boyden chambers. MTA3, Snail and MMP-2 mRNA expression was measured by RT-PCR, and Snail, MMP-2 protein levels were determined by IHC. MMP-2 activity was assayed by zymography. RESULTS RT-PCR and Western Blots showed that theexpression of ERα and E-cadherin mRNA and protein in the ES-2 cells was negative, while ERβ and PR expression was positive. E2 at 10^-7,10^-8 or 10^-9M stimulated cell proliferation. A level of 10^-8M E2 reduced the proportion of G0-G1 phase cells and increased the proportion of cells in the S phase, but it had no effect on apoptosis. Invasiveness and mobility of the ES-2 cells was significantly increased by 10^-8M E2. Treatment with 10^-8M E2 led to reduced MTA3 mRNA expression, and elevated Snail and MMP-2 mRNA and protein levels. CONCLUSION E2 enhanced invasion by the ES-2 cells. The effects observed maybe mediated by down-regulation of MTA3 and up-reguation of Snail and MMP-2.

Atorvastatin reduces myocardial fibrosis in a rat model with post- myocardial infarction heart failure by increasing the matrix metaHoproteinase-2/tissue matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor-2 ratio

Background The cholesterol-lowering statin drugs have some non-lipid-lowering effects, such as inhibiting myocardial remodeling. However, the underlying mechanism is still unclear. Methods The left anterior descending coronary artery was ligated to establish a rat model of heart failure, and the rats were divided into a sham operation （SO） group, myocardial infarction model （MI） group, and MI-atorvastatin group. Changes in hemodynamic parameters were recorded after the final drug administration. Histological diagnosis was made by reviewing hematoxylin and eosin （HE） stained tissue. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （PCR） was performed to determine the expressions of type I and type III collagen, matrix metalloproteinase-2 （MMP-2）, and tissue matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor-2 （TIMP-2）. Further, primary rat cardiac fibroblasts were cultured and the MTT assay was performed to determine the effect of atorvastatin on cardiac fibroblast proliferation. Results The model of heart failure was established and the results of HE staining and Masson＇s trichrome staining revealed that the rats in the heart failure group showed obvious hyperplasia of fibrotic tissue, which was significantly reduced in the atorvastatin group. Real-time quantitative PCR showed that the MI group showed a significantly increased expression of type I and type III coltagen, MMP-2, and TIMP-2, but a significantly reduced MMP-2/T＇IMP- 2 ratio. Compared with the MI group, the atorvastatin group showed significantly reduced expression of type I and III collagen, unchanged expression of MMP-2, significantly reduced expression of TIMP-2, and an increased MMP-2/ TIMP-2 ratio. We further found that atorvastatin significantly inhibited the Ang II-induced fibroblast proliferation and the expression of type I and type III collagen in cardiac fibroblasts while increasing the MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio. Conclusions These data suggest that atorvastatin can inhibit cardiac fibroblast proliferation and enhance collagen degradation by increasing the MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio, thereby inhibiting the formation of myocardial fibrosis in rats with heart failure after myocardial infarction.

Lichong decoction reduces Matrix Metalloproteinases-2 expression but increases Tissue Inhibitors of Matrix Metalloproteinases-2 ex-pression in a rat model of uterine leiomyoma

OBJECTIVE:To study the effect of Lichong decoction(LD) on expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2) and metalloproteinase-2(TIMP-2) in a rat model of uterine leiomyoma(UL).METHODS:UL was induced in rats using exogenous estrogen and progesterone.LD was administered(p.o.) for 4 weeks,and mifepristone(RU-486)used as a control.To observe the effect of LD on the uterine coefficient and uterine transverse diameter,a radioimmunoassay method was used to detect serum levels of sex hormones.Light microscopic analyses of pathologic changes in the tissues of UL rats were evaluated.Expression of the proteins of matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases(TIMPs) in uterine tissues was assessed by immunohistochemical staining and western blotting.RESULTS:A UL model in rats was established successfully.LD reduced uterine weight,uterine coefficient,and uterine transverse diameter compared with untreated controls.LD reduced levels of estradiol,progesterone,follicle-stimulating hormone,and luteinizing hormone in our UL models.LD improved the pathologic condition of uterine muscle.Expression of MMP-2 protein decreased to varying extents in LD-treated groups,but TIMP-2 levels were enhanced.LD appears to reduce MMP-2 expression and increase TIMP-2 expression in UL tissue.CONCLUSION:These data suggest that the mechanism of action of LD on ULs may involve reduction of MMP-2 expression and increase in TIMP-2 expression in rats.

Effect of puerarin on matrix metalloproteinase-2 in human fetal scleral fibroblasts treated with low frequency electromagnetic fields

OBJECTIVE:To study the effect of puerarin on matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2)gene and protein expression in human fetal scleral fibroblasts(HFSFs)exposed to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields(ELF-EMF).METHODS:Cultured HFSFs were exposed to 0.2mT ELF-EMF for 24 h.The experimental groups were divided into subgroups treated with 0,0.1,1and 10μM puerarin respectively.The expression of MMP-2 mRNA and protein were detected with real-time polymerase chain reaction and western-blot analysis respectively.RESULTS:MMP-2 mRNA and protein expression increased by 0.793 and 1.130 folds respectively under the exposure of ELF-EMFs at 0.2 mT flux density for24 h.Puerarin at the concentration of 0.1μM reversed this effect by 8.53%in mRNA and by 17.97%in protein expression(P<0.05).The effect was more prominent at higher concentrations(1 and 10μM,P<0.01).CONCLUSION:Exposure to ELF-EMFs increased the expression of MMP-2 mRNA and protein in HFSF cells.Puerarin reversed the action to some extent in a specific concentration range.Our results implied that the puerarin might protect scleral tissue from increased expression induced by exposure to ELF-EMFs.

Differences of Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 Expression between Left and Right Ventricles in Response to Nandrolone Decanoate and/or Swimming Training in Mice

Background： Matrix metalloproteinase （MMP）-2 plays an important role in the remodeling of left ventricles （LVs） and right ventricles （RVs）. We investigated the differences of MMP-2 expression between LV and RV in response to nandrolone dccanoate （ND）, swimming training （ST）, and combined ND and ST （NS） in mice, based on their structural, functional, and biochemical characteristics. Methods： Totally 28 male C57B1 mice （6 weeks old; 20-23 g） were divided into four groups, including the control （n = 7）, ND （n = 6）, ST （n = 8）, and NS （n = 7） groups. After respective treatments for 8 weeks, echocardiographic examination was used to assess the cardiac structure and function. Van Gieson stain was used to examine the fibrosis of LV and RV in response to different treatments, and Western blotting analysis was performed to explore different MMP-2 expressions between LV and RV in response to ND and/or ST. Analysis of variance was used for comparing the four groups. Results： At 8 weeks, right ventricular dimension/body weight in the ND group was larger than the other three groups （F = 7.12, P 〈 0.05） according to the echocardiographic examination. Fibrosis induced by ND administration was increased more in RV （2.59%） than that in LV （2.21%）. MMP-2 expression of the ND group in RV was significantly greater than the control and NS groups in RV and the corresponding ND group in LV. Conclusion： The experimental data support the hypothesis that ND administration induces greater MMP-2 expression increase in RV compared to LV, leading to consequent RV dilation.

Galectin-9 Promotes Human Trophoblast Cell Invasion through Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 and p38 Signaling Pathway

Objective:Adequate extravillous trophoblast(EVT)invasion plays a crucial role in the establishment of successful pregnancy.Insufficient trophoblast migration and invasion can result in defective placentation,which is associated with a number of clinical pathological conditions of pregnancy including spontaneous abortion and preeclampsia.Galectin-9(Gal-9)has a wide variety of regulatory functions in innate and adaptive immunity during infection,tumor growth,and organ transplantation.Methods:We utilized immortalized human first-trimester EVT cells(HTR8/SVneo)for our functional study.We examined the effects of Gal-9 on viability,proliferation,and invasion of HTR8/SVneo cells,as well as on matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2)production in HTR8/SVneo cells.Furthermore,we observed the effects of different MAPK-signaling pathway inhibitors on the stimulatory functions of Gal-9 on HTR8/SVneo cells’invasion.Results:We verified the secretion of Gal-9 by trophoblasts and detected a correlation between low levels of Gal-9 and spontaneous abortion.Gal-9 promoted the invasion of HTR8/SVneo cells through its interaction with Tim-3,not CD44,and subsequently increased MMP-2 production.Blockade of p38 signaling pathway inhibited Gal-9 activities in HTR8/SVneo cells.Conclusion:Gal-9 promotes human trophoblast cell invasion through MMP-2 and p38 signaling pathway in a Tim-3-dependent manner.

Therapeutic effect of interleukin-10 on CCI_4-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats

AIM： To study the therapeutic effect of exogenous interleuldn-10 on CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats and its passible mechanisms. METHODS： Fourty-seven SD rats were randomly divided into control group （group N） and CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis model group （group C）. After CCl4 was given for 9 wk, the model group was divided into three groups. Rats in group H were put to death immediately, rats in group T were treated with IL-10 for another three wk and then put to death, rats in group R recovered after three weeks and were then killed. The degree of hepatic fibrosis was measured by HE staining and histological activity index （HAI）. Histological activity index （HAI）, change of collagen types Ⅰ and Ⅲ were measured by Picrosirius staining. The expression of TNF-α, HHP-2 and TIMP-1 in liver tissue was measured by S-P immunohis tochemistry.RESULTS： CCl4- induced experimental rat hepatic fibrosis model was established successfully. The degree of hepatic fibrosis was markedly lower in group T than in groups H and R, and there was no difference between the two groups. The expression of collagen types I and III was significantly suppressed in group T and was slightly suppressed in groups H and R. The positive levels of TNF-α, HHP-2 and TIHP-1 in group H increased significantly compared to those in group N （P〈0.01）. The positive signals decreased significantly in groups T and R （P〈0.01）, but positive score was significantly lower in group T than in group R （P〈 0.01）. CONCLUS10N： Exogenous IL-10 can reverse CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats. IL-10 may exert its reversible effects on hepatic fibrosis by blocking CCl4-induced inflammation, inhibiting expression of HHP-2 and TIMP-1 and promoting resolution of collagen types Ⅰ and Ⅲ.

Expression of E-cadherin,beta-catenin,cathepsin D,gelatinases and their inhibitors in invasive ductal breast carcinomas

Background E-cadhedn, beta-catenin, cathepsin D, matrix metalloproteinase （MMP）-2, MMP-9, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase （TIMP）-1 and TIMP-2 are all invasion-related proteins. The expression patterns of these proteins in invasive ductal breast carcinomas, and their associations with known clinicopathological parameters, tumor recurrence and expressions of estrogen receptor （ER）, progesterone receptor （PR）, PS2 and c-erbB2 were not well studied in Chinese patients, Methods In a set of 94 invasive ductal breast carcinomas, protein expressions of these molecular markers were investigated by immunohistochemistry, and their associations with known clinicopathological parameters, tumor recurrence and expressions of ER, PR, PS2 and c-erbB2 were also examined. In addition, the interrelationship between the expressions of these proteins were studied. Results Preserved membrane E-cadherin expression was associated with late tumor stage and tumor recurrence, whereas the reduced junctional beta-catenin associated with positive lymph node status and c-erbB2 overexpression. Positive staining of cathepsin D in tumor stromal cells displayed a significant association with late tumor stage. High expression of MMP-2 in cancer cells was associated with large tumor size and PR positive expression. TIMP-2 expression was positively associated with tumor recurrence. In addition, inter-relationship between the expressions of these biomarkers was also assessed, Cathepsin D staining in cancer cells was inversely correlated with its staining in stromal cells, and also inversely correlated with MMP-2 staining in tumor stromal cells. MMP-2 expression in stromal cells displayed an inverse correlation with TIMP-2 expression. MMP-9 expression displayed parallel associations with TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 expression. Conclusion Evaluation of E-cadherin, beta-catenin, cathepsin D, MMP-2 and TIMP-2 expression may be of some help in more accurately predictinq the pro qnosis of invasive ductal breast carcinomas.

Puerarin, an isoflavone compound extracted from Gegen (Radix Puerariae Lobatae), modulates sclera remodeling caused by extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the protective effect of puerarin [an isoflavone compound extracted from Gegen(Radix Puerariae Lobatae)] in scleral remodeling induced by extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields(ELF-EMFs).METHODS: Human fetal scleral fibroblasts(HFSFs)were divided into 5 groups:(a) untreated controls;(b) cells treated with ELF-EMFs;(c) cells treated with ELF-EMFs and puerarin 0.1 μM;(d) cells treated with ELF-EMFs and puerarin 1 μM;(e) cells treated with ELF-EMFs and puerarin 10 μM. Cell proliferation activity was measured by the cell-counting kit-8 assay. Matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2) activity was measured by gelatin enzymography.MMP-2 and collagenⅠ(COL1A1) m RNA, protein expression were measured by Real-Time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot analysis, respectively.RESULTS: Puerarin reduced the inhibition in cell proliferation, MMP-2 activity, m RNA, protein expression of HFSFs exposed to ELF-EMFs and enhanced the COL1A1 m RNA and protein expression.CONCLUSION: Puerarin was found to participate in the matrix remodeling process. It might be a potential agent for the treatment of extracellular matrix degradation of sclera associated with ocular conditions.