Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3 expression affects clinicopathological features and prognosis of aflatoxin B1-related hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND The dysregulation of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3(TIMP3)was positively correlated with the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).However,it is not clear whether TIMP3 expression is associated with the clinico-pathological features and prognosis of aflatoxin B1(AFB1)-related HCC(AHCC).A retrospective study,including 182 patients with AHCC,was conducted to explore the link between TIMP3 expression in cancerous tissues and the clinico-pathological characteristics and prognosis of AHCC.TIMP3 expression was detected by immunohistochemistry and its effects on the clinicopathological features and prognosis of AHCC were evaluated by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox regression survival analysis.Odds ratio,hazard ratio(HR),median overall survival time(MST),median tumor recurrence-free survival time(MRT),and corresponding 95%confidential interval(CI)was calculated to RESULTS Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that compared with high TIMP3 expression,low TIMP3 expression in tumor tissues significantly decreased the MST(36.00 mo vs 18.00 mo)and MRT(32.00 mo vs 16 mo)of patients with AHCC.Multivariate Cox regression survival analysis further proved that decreased expression of TIMP3 increased the risk of death(HR=2.85,95%CI:2.04-4.00)and tumor recurrence(HR=2.26,95%CI:1.57-3.26).Furthermore,decreased expression of TIMP3 protein in tissues with AHCC was significantly correlated with tumor clinicopatho-logical features,such as tumor size,tumor grade and stage,tumor microvessel density,and tumor blood invasion.Additionally,TIMP3 protein expression was also negatively associated with amount of AFB1-DNA adducts in tumor tissues.CONCLUSION These findings indicate that the dysregulation of TIMP3 expression is related to AHCC biological behaviors and affects tumor outcome,suggesting that TIMP3 may act as a prognostic biomarker for AHCC.

Long noncoding RNAs HAND2-AS1 ultrasound microbubbles suppress hepatocellular carcinoma progression by regulating the miR-873-5p/tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-2 axis

BACKGROUND Increasing data indicated that long noncoding RNAs(lncRNAs)were directly or indirectly involved in the occurrence and development of tumors,including hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Recent studies had found that the expression of lncRNA HAND2-AS1 was downregulated in HCC tissues,but its role in HCC progression is unclear.Ultrasound targeted microbubble destruction mediated gene transfection is a new method to overexpress genes.AIM To study the role of ultrasound microbubbles(UTMBs)mediated HAND2-AS1 in the progression of HCC,in order to provide a new reference for the treatment of HCC.METHODS In vitro,we transfected HAND2-AS1 siRNA into HepG2 cells by UTMBs,and detected cell proliferation,apoptosis,invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)by cell counting kit-8 assay,flow cytometry,Transwell invasion assay and Western blotting,respectively.In addition,we transfected miR-837-5p mimic into UTMBs treated cells and observed the changes of cell behavior.Next,the UTMBs treated HepG2 cells were transfected together with miR-837-5p mimic and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-2(TIMP2)overexpression vector,and we detected cell proliferation,apoptosis,invasion and EMT.In vivo,we established a mouse model of subcutaneous transplantation of HepG2 cells and observed the effect of HAND2-AS1 silencing on tumor formation ability.RESULTS We found that UTMBs carrying HAND2-AS1 restricted cell proliferation,invasion,and EMT,encouraged apoptosis,and HAND2-AS1 silencing eliminated the effect of UTMBs.Additionally,miR-873-5p targets the gene HAND2-AS1,which also targets the 3’UTR of TIMP2.And miR-873-5p mimic counteracted the impact of HAND2-AS1.Further,miR-873-5p mimic solely or in combination with pcDNA-TIMP2 had been transformed into HepG2 cells exposed to UTMBs.We discovered that TIMP2 reversed the effect of miR-873-5p mimic caused by the blocked signalling cascade for matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)2/MMP9.In vivo results showed that HAND2-AS1 silencing significantly inhibited tumor formation in mice.CONCLUSION LncRNA HAND2-AS1 promotes TIMP2 expression by targeting miR-873-5p to inhibit HepG2 cell growth and delay HCC progression.

LOW DOSE PIRFENIDONE SUPPRESSES TRANSFORMING GROWTH FACTOR BETA-1 AND TISSUE INHIBITOR OF METALLOPROTEINASE-1, AND PROTECTS RATS FROM LUNG FIBROSIS INDUCED BY BLEOMYCIN

Objective To investigate the optimal dosage of pirfenidone for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin in Wistar rats, and the alteration of expressions of transforming growth factor beta-1 （ TGF-β1 ）, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 （ TIMP-1 ）, and matrix metalloproteinase-13 （ MMP-13 ） in lung tissue. Methods Male Wistar rats were endotracheally instilled with bleomycin or normal saline. Pirfenidone （25-800 mg · kg^-l · d^-1 ）, dexamethasone （3 mg/kg）, or 1% carboxymethylcellulose sodium were given daily by feed 2 days before instillation of bleomycin. Groups T7 and T14 were fed pirfenidone 50 mg · kg^-1 · d^-1 at 7 days or 14 daYs after bleomycin instillation. Lungs were harvested at 28 days after bleomycin instillation. Patholological changes in luffg tissues were evaluated with HE staining. Lung collagen was stained by sirius red and measured by content of hydroxypro- line. Expression of proteins of TGF-β1 TIMP-1, and MMP-13 were detected by Western blotting. Results At doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg· kg^- 1 · d ^- 1, pirfenidone had significant anti-fibrotic effects for bleomy- cin-induced rat pulmonary fibrosis, and these effects were most significantly attenuated at the dosage of 50 mg · kg^-1 ·d^ -1（ HE： P 〈 0. 01, P 〈 0.01, and P = 0.064; sirius red： P 〈0.05, P 〈 0.01, and P 〈 0.05 ; hydroxyproline： P = 0.595, P 〈 0.01, and P = 0.976）. Pirfenidone at a dosage of 50 mg · kg^- l · d^-1 inhibited protein expression of TGF-131 and TIMP-1 in lung tissue in the early phase （0.79 and 0.75 times of control group）, but had no effect on ex- nr^eelnn nf MMP-13. Conclusion Low dose pirfenidone, especially at dosage of 50 mg · kg^-1 · d^-1, has significant anti-fibrotic effects on bleomycin-induced rat pulmonary fibrosis. Pirfenidone partially inhibits the enhancement of the expression of TGF-131 and TIMP-β1 in lung tissue.

Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 in ulcerative colitis

AIM: To examine the expression of metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in the colonic mucosa of patients with ulcer- ative colitis (UC). METHODS: Reverse transcription-polymerase chain re- action (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry were used to study the expression of MMP-1 and TIMP-1 at both mRNA and protein levels in patients with UC and con- trols. The relationship between MMP-1 mRNA, TIMP-1 mRNA, MMP-1 mRNA/TIMP-1 mRNA ratio and the sever- ity of clinical symptoms of the patients with UC were also analyzed. RESULTS: The expression of MMP-1 mRNA and TIMP-1 mRNA in the ulcerated and inflamed colonic mucosa was signifi cantly higher than that in the non-inflamed colonic mucosa (P < 0.001), but there was no statistically signif i- cant difference in the non-inflamed colonic mucosa of UC patients and normal controls (P > 0.05). The mRNA ex- pression of MMP-1 and TIMP-1 in ulcerated colonic mu- cosa of UC patients was increased by 80-fold and 2.2-fold, respectively when compared with the normal controls. In the inflamed colonic mucosa, the increase was 30-fold and 1.6-fold, respectively. Immunohistochemical analy- sis showed that among the ulcerated, inflamed, and non-inflamed colonic mucosae of UC patients and the normal controls, the positive rate of MMP-1 expression was 87%, 87%, 40% and 35% respectively, and the positive rate of TIMP-1 expression was 89%, 89%, 80% and 75%, respectively. Furthermore, the expression of MMP-1 mRNA, TIMP-1 mRNA and the MMP-1 mRNA/ TIMP-1 mRNA ratio were correlated with the severity of clinical symptoms (P <0.05).CONCLUSION: Excessive expression of MMP-1 in the diseased colonic mucosa causes excessive hydrolysis of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and ulceration in UC pa-tients. MMP-1 mRNA, TIMP-1 mRNA and MMP-1 mRNA/ TIMP-1 mRNA ratio can be used as biomarkers to judge the severity of clinical symptoms in patients with UC. Exogenous TIMP-1 or MMP-1 inhibitor therapy is a novel treatment for patients with UC.

Interleukin-1 beta up-regulates tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 mRNA and phosphorylation of c-jun N-terminal kinase and p38 in hepatic stellate cells

AIM： To study the relationship between interleukin-lbeta （IL-1β） up-regulating tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 （TIMMP-1） mRNA expression and phosphorylation of both c-jun N-terminal kinase （INK） and p38 in rat heffatic stellate cells （HSC）. METHODS： RT-PCR was performed to measure the expression of TIMMP-1 mRNA in rat HSC. Western blot was performed to measure IL-1β-induced JNK and p38 activities in rat HSC. RESULTS： TIMMP-1 mRNA expression （1.191± 0.079） was much higher after treatment with IL-1β （10 ng/mL） for 24 h than in control group （0.545±0.091） （P〈0.01）. IL-1β activated INK and p38 in a time-dependent manner. After stimulation with IL-1β for 0, 5, 15, 30, 60 and 120 min, the INK activity was 0.982±0.299, 1.501±0.720, 2.133±0.882, 3.360±0.452, 2.181±0.789, and 1.385 ± 0.368, respectively. There was a significant difference in JNK activity at 15 min （P〈 0.01）, 30 min （P〈 0.01） and 60 min （P〈0.01） in comparison to that at 0 min. The p38 activity was 1.061±0.310, 2.050±0.863, 2.380±0.573, 2.973±0.953, 2.421±0.793, and 1.755 ± 0.433 at the 6 time points （0, 5, 15, 30, 60 and 120 min） respectively. There was a significant difference in p38 activity at 5 min （P〈0.05）, 15 min （P〈0.01）, 30 min （P〈0.01） and 60 min （P〈0.01） compared to that at 0 min. TIMMP-1 mRNA expression trended to decrease in 3 groups pretreated with different concentrations of SP600125 （10 μmol/L, 1.022±0.113; 20 μmol/L, 0.869±0.070; 40 μmol/L, 0.666±0.123）. Their decreases were all significant （P〈0.05, P〈0.01, P〈0.01） in comparison to control group （without SP600125 treatment, 1.163±0.107）. In the other 3 groups pretreated with different concentrations of SB203580 （10 μmol/L, 1.507±0.099; 20 μmol/L, 1.698±0.107; 40 μmol/L, 1.857±0.054）, the expression of TIMMP-1 mRNA increased. Their levels were higher than those in the control group （without SB203580 treatment, 1.027 ± 0.061） with a significant statistical significance （P〈 0.01）. CONCLUSION： IL-1β has a direct action on hepatic fibrosis by up-regulating TIMMP-1 mRNA expression in ratessionin in rate HSC.JNK and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases （MAPKs） are involved in IL-1β-induced TIMMP-1 gene expression, and play a distinct role in this process, indicating that p38 and .INK pathways cooperatively mediate TIMP-1 mRNA expression in rat HSC.

Plasma matrix metalloproteinase-1 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 as biomarkers of ulcerative colitis activity

AIM:Overexpression of mucosal metalloproteinases(MMP) has been demonstrated recently in inflammatory bowel disease.Their activity can be counterbalanced by the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases(TIMP).The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ulcerative colitis(UC)on MMP- 1 and TIMP-1 plasma concentrations,as two possible biomarkers of the disease activity. METHODS:MMP-1 and TIMP-1 plasma concentrations were measured with an enzyme immunoassay in 16 patients with endoscopically confirmed active UC. RESULTS:Plasma concentrations of both MMP-1(13.7±0.2 ng/ml)and TIMP-1(799±140 ng/ml)were significantly elevated in UC patients in comparison to healthy controls (11.9±0.9 ng/ml and 220±7 ng/ml respectively).There was no correlation between TIMP-1 and MMP-1 concentrations (r=0.02).TIMP-1 levels revealed significant positive correlations with scored endoscopic degree of mucosal injury, disease activity index and clinical activity index values as well as C-reactive protein concentration.There was no correlation between MMP-1 and laboratory,clinical or endoscopic indices of the disease activity.CONCLUSION: These results confirm the role of both MMP- 1 and TIMP-1 in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis. However only TIMP-1 can be useful as a biomarker of the disease activity, demonstrating association with clinical and endoscopic pictures.

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 expression in early focal cerebral infarction following urokinase thrombolysis in rats

Activity of matrix metalloproteinase-9 increases following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion, and is associated with cerebral microvascular permeability, blood-brain barrier destruction, inflammatory cell infiltration and brain edema. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 also likely participates in thrombolysis. A rat model of middle cerebral artery infarction was established by injecting autologous blood clots into the internal carotid artery. At 3 hours following model induction, urokinase was injected into the caudal vein. Decreased neurological severity score, reduced infarct volume, and increased expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 were observed in the cerebral cortex 24 hours after urokinase thrombolysis. These results suggest that urokinase can suppress damage in the acute-early stage of cerebral infarction.

Expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 in progression muscular dystrophy

Objective Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 （TIMP-1） is a muhifunctional protein that has thc capacity to modify cellular activities and to modulate matrix turnover. This paper revealed the contributive role of TIMP-1 in progressive muscular dystrophy （PMD）. Methods We examined the expression and cellular localization of TIMP-1 protein using biopsied frozen muscle from patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy （DMD）, Becker muscular dystrophy （BMD） , congenital muscular dystrophy （CMD） by immunohistochemistry, double immunofluorescence and Western blot analysis. Results The results of immunohistochemistry and double immunofluorescence showed that TIMP-1 was positive only in vascular endothelial cells of normal muscles. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis showed that the staining intensity was distinctly increased in some dystrophic muscles of PMD for TIMP-1. Double immunofluorescence revealed that TIMP-1 strongly expressed in the regenerating muscle fibers, macrophages and macrophage infiltrating necrotic fibers. Some activated fibroblasts in endomysium and perimysium of DMD and CMD muscles were also positive for TIMP- 1. Conclusion The functional consequence of overexpression of TIMP-1 in the dystrophic muscles is unknown, but the elevated local expression of TIMP-1 in diseased muscles of PMD and their distinct distribution pattern provide evidence that TIMP-1 may participate in the pathogenesis of PMD.

Expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor

BACKGROUND： Matrix metalloproteinase-9 （MMP-9） can degrade collagen IV （the main structural ingredient of basilar membrane）, and it also plays an important role in tumor vascularization, tumor cell progression, formation of metastatic focus, etc. Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 （T1MP-1） can bind with MMP-9 to form 1 ： 1 compound and inhibit its activity, and can negatively regulate the tumor progression and metastasis. OBJECTIVE： To analyze the relationship of MMP-9 and T1MP-1 expressions with the pathological grade, metastasis and prognosis of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor （MPNST）. DESIGN： An observational comparative experiment. SETTING： Heze Medical College. PARTICIPANTS： Fifty-eight surgical pathological samples, which were clearly diagnosed to be MPNST, were collected from the pathological laboratory archives in the Department of Pathology, Heze Municipal Hospital from January 1988 to December 2003. The MPNST pathological types were common tumor in 53 cases, malignant triton tumor in 2 cases, epithelial MPNST in 2 cases and MPNST with gland differentiation in 1 case. The pathological grade was grade 1 in 11 cases, grade 2 in 24 cases and grade 3 in 23 cases. Besides, the resected tumor samples of 20 patients with benign peripheral nerve tumor （10 cases of nerve sheath tumor and 10 cases of neurofibromatosis） and the normal peripheral nerves （by-products of some surgeries） of 5 patients were also collected. The samples were used with the approval of the patients. Rat-anti-human MMP-9, TIMP-1 monoclonal antibody and S-P kit were purchased from Fuzhou Maixin Biotechnology, Co.,Ltd. METHODS： The documented paraffin blocks were again prepared to sections of 5 lJ m. The expressions of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in the samples were detected with mmunohistochemical S-P method. The relationships of the MPNST severity, recurrence, metastasis and survival rate with the expressions of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were analyzed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Relationships of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 expressions with the MPNST severity and prognosis. RESULTS： ①Expressions of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in three tissues： MMP-9 and TIMP-1 stainings were mainly observed in cytoplasm. Among the 58 MPNST patients, the MMP-9 expression was significantly higher than those in normal peripheral nerve and benign tumor （P 〈 0.05）, while the TIMP-1 expression in MPNST was lower than those in normal peripheral nerve and benign tumor （P 〈 0.05）. ②Relationship of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 expressions with the severity and prognosis of MPNST： The expressions of both proteins were observed in the four subtypes. The positive expression of MMP-9 in the MPNST patients of grades 2 - 3 was significantly higher than that in the MPNST patients of grade 1 （P 〈 0.05）, while the expression of MMP-9 was significantly lower than that in the MPNST patients of grade 1 （P 〈 0.05）. The metastatic rate was positively correlated with MMP-9 expression （r =1.696, P 〈 0.05）, but negatively correlated with TIMP-1 expression （r = - 2.125, P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： MMP-9 and TIMP-1 are associated with MPNST pathological grades and metastasis, and can be used as the indicators for judging the severity and orognosis of MPNST.

携TIMP-1基因RNAi慢病毒载体感染大鼠HSC-T6细胞抑制目的基因表达

目的验证构建成功的携基质金属蛋白酶组织抑制因子-1(TIMP-1)基因特异性小干扰RNA的慢病毒载体对目的基因表达的抑制效应。方法以慢病毒质粒感染HSC-T6细胞,在感染6天和8天后,观察慢病毒感染效率;采用定量PCR法检测TIMP-1 mRNA水平变化;采用免疫印迹法检测TIMP-1蛋白表达变化。结果在慢病毒载体感染6天时,TIMP-1 mRNA水平较正常对照组下降约0.668倍[2-ΔΔCt为(0.668±0.046)],下降程度明显高于阴性对照组[2-ΔΔCt为(1.001±0.041),(P<0.05)];在慢病毒感染6天和8天时,RNAi组对TIMP-1蛋白表达具有明显的抑制作用,且以感染第6天为显著。结论构建成功的携TIMP-1基因特异性RNAi慢病毒载体能有效感染HSC-T6细胞,并抑制目的基因的表达。

Methodologic research on TIMP-1,TIMP-2 detection as a new diagnostic index for hepatic fibrosis and its significance

AIM: To set up a new method to detect tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1 and -2(TIMP-1 and TIMP-2) in sera of patients with hepatic cirrhosis, and to investigate the expression and location of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in liver tissue of patients with hepatic cirrhosis, and the correlation between TIMPs in liver and those in sera so as to discuss whether TIMPs can be used as a diagnosis index of hepatic fibrosis. METHODS: The monoclonal antibodies (McAbs) of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were used to sensitize erythrocytes, and solid-phase absorption to sensitized erythrocytes (SPASE) was used to detect TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in the sera of patients with hepatic cirrhosis. Meanwhile, with the method of in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, we studied the mRNA expression and antigen location of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in the livers of 40 hepatic cirrhosis patients with pathologic diagnosis. RESULTS: With SPASE, they were 16.4% higher in the acute hepatitis group, 33.3% higher in the chronic hepatitis group, and the positive rates were 73.6% and 61.2% respectively in sera of hepatic cirrhosis patients, which were remarkably higher than those in chronic hepatitis and acute hepatitis group (P【0.001). In 40 samples of hepatic cirrhosis tissues, all of them showed positive expression of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 mRNA detected with immunohistochemistry or in situ hybridization (positive rate was 100%). Expression of TIMPs in different degrees could be found in liver tissue with cirrhosis. TIMPs were located in cytoplasm of liver cells of patients with hepatic cirrhosis. There was a significant correlation between serum TIMPs level and liver TIMPs level. CONCLUSION: SPASE is a useful method to detect the TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in sera of patients with hepatic cirrhosis, and TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 can be considered as a useful diagnostic index of hepatic fibrosis, especially TIMP-1.

Inhibiting effect of antisense oligonucleotides phosphorthioate on gene expression of TIMP-1 in rat liver fibrosis

AIM: To observe the inhibition of antisense oligonucleotides (asON) phosphorthioate to the tissue inhibitors metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) gene and protein expression in the liver tissue of immunologically induced hepatic fibrosis rats. The possibility of reversing hepatic fibrosis through gene therapy was observed. METHODS: Human serum albumin (HSA) was used to attack rats, as hepatic fibrosis model, in which asONs were used to block the gene and protein expressing TIMP-1. According to the analysis of modulator, structure protein, coding series of TIMP-1 genome, we designed four different asONs. These asONs were injected into the hepatic fibrosis models through coccygeal vein. The results was observed by RT-PCR for measuring TIMP-1 mRNA expression, immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization for collagen I, II, special staining of collagen fiber, and electron microscopic examination. RESULTS: Hepatic fibrosis could last within 363 days in our modified model. The expressing level of TIMP-1 was high during hepatic fibrosis process. It has been proved by the immunohistochemical and the electron microscopic examination that the asON phosphorthioate of TIMP-1 could exactly express in vivo. The effect of colchicine was demonstrated to inhibit the expressing level of mRNA and the content of collagen I, III in the liver of experimental hepatic fibrosis rats. However, the electron microscopy research and the pathologic grading of hepatic fibrosis showed that there was no significant difference between the treatment group and the model group (P】 0.05). CONCLUSION: The experimental rat model of hepatic fibrosis is one of the preferable models to estimate the curative effect of anti-hepatic fibrosis drugs. The asON phosphorthioate of TIMP-1 could block the gene and protein expression of TIMP-1 in the liver of experimental hepatic fibrosis rats at the mRNA level. It is possible to reverse hepatic fibrosis, and it is expected to study a new drug of antihepatic fibrosis on the genetic level. Colchicine has very limited therapeutic effect on hepatic fibrosis, furthermore, its toxicity and side effects are obvious.

Multifactor Regulation on Expressions of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in Endometrial Stromal Cells

Objective To investigate the regulatory effect of multifactor on the matrix metalloproteinases-9 （MMP-9） and the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 （TIMP-1） in endometrial stromal cells. Methods The endometrial stromal cells separated from the proliferative endometrial tissues were incubated with medium alone, 17-β estradiol （E2,10^-8 mol/L）, medroxyprogesterone acetate （MPA, 10^-6 mol/L）, E2（10^-8 mol/L）＋MPA （10^-6 mol/L）, E2 （10^-8 mol/L）＋MPA （10^-6 mol/L）＋RU486 （10^-5 mol/L） or HB-EGF （10 ng/ml） for 48 h respectively. The expressions of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were detected by in situ hybridization, immunocytochemistry, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR） and Western blotting. Results Compared with control group [mRNA, 0. 729 ± 0. 090 （MMP-9） and 1.056± 0.154 （TIMP-1）; protein, 0.545 ±0.086 （MMP-9） and 0.745 ±0.154 （TIMP-1）], expressions of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in E2 alone, progestin alone or E2 combined with progestin group were respectively：mRNA, 0.413 ± 0.069, 0.402 ± 0.073 and 0.407 ± 0.039; 0.487 ± 0.093, 0.503 ± 0.093 and 0.468 ± 0.075：protein, 0.294 ± 0.076, 0.331 ±0.064 and 0.265 ±0.049; 0.425 ±0.085, 0.397 ±0.065 and 0.435 ± 0.099. RU486 weakened the expression level of down-regulation, while HB-EGF elevated the level of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 after 48 h treatment （mRNA, 0.955 ± 0.068 and 1.396 ± 0.238; protein, 0. 780 ± 0.109 and 0.985 ± 0.165）. Conclusions 1） Both E2 and progestin can down-regulate the expressions of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in endometrial stromal cells, but RU486 can inhibit the effect. 2） HB-EGF can elevate the level of MMP-9 and TIMP-1. 3） E2, progestin and HB-EGF have effect on the ratio of MM-P/TIMP-1.

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.

Rapamycin attenuates bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats and the expression of metalloproteinase-9 and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1 in lung tissue

Background Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis （IPF） is the most common and devastating form of interstitial lung disease （ILD） in the clinic.There is no effective therapy except for lung transplantation.Rapamycin is an immunosuppressive drug with potent antifibrotic activity.The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of rapamycin on bleomycininduced pulmonary fibrosis in rats and the relation to the expression of metalloproteinase-9 （MMP-9） and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 （TIMP-1）.Methods Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with intratracheal injection of 0.3 ml of bleomycin （5 mg/kg） in sterile 0.9％ saline to make the pulmonary fibrosis model.Rapamycin was given at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg per gavage,beginning one day before bleomycin instillation and once daily until animal sacrifice.Ten rats in each group were sacrificed at 3,7,14,28 and 56 days after bleomycin administration.Alveolitis and pulmonary fibrosis were semi-quantitatively assessed after HE staining and Masson staining under an Olympus BX40 microscope with an IDA-2000 Image Analysis System.Type Ⅰ and Ⅲ collagen fibers were identified by Picro-sirius-polarization.Hydroxyproline content in lung tissue was quantified by a colorimetric-based spectrophotometric assay,MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were detected by immunohistochemistry and by realtime quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR）.Results Bleomycin induced alveolitis and pulmonary fibrosis of rats was inhibited by rapamycin.Significant inhibition of alveolitis and hydroxyproline product were demonstrated when daily administration of rapamycin lasted for at least 14 days.The inhibitory efficacy on pulmonary fibrosis was unremarkable until rapamycin treatment lasted for at least 28 days （P ＜0.05）.It was also demonstrated that rapamycin treatment reduced the expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in lung tissue that was increased by bleomycin.Conclusion These results highlight the significance of rapamycin in alleviating alveolitis and pulmonary fibrosis,which is associated with decreased expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1.

Effect of angiotensin Ⅱ receptor blocker on glucose-induced mRNA expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 in rat mesangial cells

Background The decreased degradation of extra-cellular matrix proteins plays an important role in the onset of diabetic nephropathy. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 （MMP-9） and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 （TIMP-1）, which are members of the matrix metalloproteinase family, are associated with this process. Angiotensin Ⅱ （AⅡ） plays an important role in the development of diabetic nephropathy also. This research aimed to investigate the effect of angiotensin Ⅱ receptor blocker on glucose-induced mRNA expressions of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in rat mesangial cells. Methods Rat mesangial cells were cultured and divided into 5 groups： normal glucose （group NG）, high glucose （group HG）, group NG＋AⅡ, NG＋AⅡ＋saralasin （group NG＋AⅡ＋S, saralasin is the AⅡ receptor blocker） and HG＋saralasin （group HG＋S）. After the cells were incubated for 24 hours, AⅡ concentrations in the supernatant were measured by radioimmunoassay and the expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 mRNA was assayed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR）. Results AⅡ concentrations were higher in group HG （（56.90±13.54） pg/ml） and group HG＋S （（51.30±5.96） pg/ml） than in group NG （（37.89±8.62） pg/ml, P〈0.05）, whereas there was no significant difference between group HG and group HG＋S. The expression of MMP-9 mRNA and MMP-9/TIMP-1 mRNA ratio in group NG＋AⅡ （MMP-9, 0.33±0.04; MMP-9/TIMP-1, 0.40±0.06） and group HG （MMP-9, 0.36±0.02; MMP-9/TIMP-1, 0.45±0.03） were decreased more significantly than those in group NG （MMP-9, 0.72±0.02; MMP-9/TIMP-1, 1.21±0.07）. These values in group NG＋AⅡ＋S （MMP-9, 0.71±0.02; MMP-9/TIMP-1, 1.18±0.05） were higher than those in group NG＋AⅡ, and the values in group HG＋S （MMP-9, 0.71＋0.02; MMP-9/TIMP-1, 1.16±0.05） were higher than those in group HG （all were P〈0.05）. TIMP-1 mRNA expression was increased more significantly in group NG＋AⅡ （0.81±0.03） and group HG （0.80±0.03） than in group NG （0.59±0.02）, but it was lower in group NG＋AⅡ＋S （0.60±0.01） than in group NG＋AⅡ and also lower in group HG＋S （0.61±0.01） than in group HG （all were P〈0.05）. Conclusions High glucose stimulates AⅡ production. Both high glucose and AⅡ induce a decrease in MMP-9 mRNA expression and MMP-9/TIMP-1 mRNA ratio as well as an increase in TIMP-1 mRNA expression, which can be reversed by saralasin, suggesting that high glucose can aggravate impaired matrix degradation by altering gene expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 and that the effect of high glucose may be mediated by AⅡ.

Signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 mediates up-regulation of angiotensin ll-induced tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 expression in cultured human senescent fibroblasts

Backgroud Angiotensin Ⅱ （Ang Ⅱ）, a principal effector of renin-angiotensin system （RAS） and increased in aging tissues, can stimulate JAK/STAT pathway via the G-protein-coupled Ang Ⅱ receptor type Ⅰ （AT1） and induce nuclear translocation of signal transducers and activators of transcription （STAT）. To further explore the role of Ang Ⅱ in aging, we examined the effect of Ang Ⅱ on human replicative senescent diploid fibroblast WI-38 cells.

Increased expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 associated with gastric ulcer recurrence

AIM: To compare matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 in gastric ulcer (GU) and chronic superficial gastritis (CSG). METHODS: This study enrolled 63 patients with GU and 25 patients with CSG. During upper gastroduodenal endoscopy, we took samples of gastric mucosa from the antrum and ulcer site from patients with GU, and samples of antral mucosa from patients with CSG. Mucosal biopsy tissues were cultured for 24 h, and the culture supernatant was measured for levels of MMP-9 and TIMP-1. After receiving eradication therapy for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori ) and 8 wk proton-pump inhibitor therapy for GU, follow-up endoscopy examination was performed after 6 mo and whenever severe symptoms occurred. RESULTS: Levels of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 at the ulcer site or in the antrum were significantly higher in GU than CSG patients. MMP-9 levels at the ulcer site were significantly higher than in the antrum in GU patients, and had a significantly positive correlation with TIMP-1. MMP-9 levels were significantly higher in H. pylori -positive than H. pylori -negative GU and CSG patients. Levels of MMP-9 or TIMP-1 at the ulcer site were associated with the histological severity of activity and inflammation. About 57 GU patients were followed up, and seven had GU recurrence. H. pyloriinfection and MMP-9 levels were risk factors for the recurrence of GU adjusted for age and sex by multiple logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSION: MMP-9 may perform an important function in gastric ulcer formation and recurrence.

Correlations between papillary thyroid cancer and peripheral blood levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2, matrix metalloproteinase-9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2

Background The relationship between the presence of metalloproteinases and thyroid cancer remains unknown, and many controversies still exist in this field. The objective of this study was to investigate the correlations between papillary thyroid cancer and peripheral blood levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2, matrix metalloproteinase-9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, and tissue inhibitor of metall0Proteinase-2. Methods The correlations were studied bY detecting the levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2, matrix metalloproteinase-9, tissue inhibitor of metalloProteinase-1, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction in the peripheral blood of 30 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma, 27 patients with benign thyroid disease, and 25 hea !hy vo!unteers. Results The leve!s of matrix metalloproteinase-2, matrix metalloproteinase-9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 in the peripheral blood of patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma were significantly higher than those in the peripheral blood of patients with benign thyroid disease and healthy volunteers （P 〈0.05）. However, there were no significant differences between patients with benign thyroid disease and healthy volunteers （P 〉0.05）. The accuracy of detection by both enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction in the papillary thyroid cancer group was 83.33%. Conclusions The levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2, matrix metalloproteinase-9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 in the peripheral blood are helpful in identifying thyroid carcinoma and aid in preoperative assessment.

Duodenal-jejunal bypass surgery on type 2 diabetic rats reduces the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 in the thoracic aorta

Background Bariatric surgery offers a productive resolution of type 2 diabetes mellitus （T2DM）.The development of T2DM vasculopathy is due to chronic inflammation,which increases matrix metalloproteinase-9 （MMP-9） and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 （TIMP-1） expression.This study sought to examine MMP-9 and TIMP-1 expression in the thoracic aorta after duodenal-jejunal bypass （DJB） surgery on a T2DM rat model induced by a high-fat diet and low dose streptozotocin （STZ）.Methods Twenty-one T2DM Wistar rats induced by high-fat diet and low dose STZ were randomly divided into DJB and sham duodenal-jejunal bypass （S-DJB） groups.Ten Wistar rats were fed a normal diet as a control.Recovery of gastrointestinal function post-operation and resumption of a normal diet completed the experiment.Body weight,blood glucose,blood lipid levels,and MMP-9 and TIMP-1 expression levels in aortic endothelial cells were measured throughout.Results DJB rats showed significant weight loss 2 weeks post-operation compared with S-DJB rats.After surgery,DJB rats showed significant improvement and steady glycemic control with improved insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance.They also exhibited improved lipid metabolism with a decrease in fasting free fatty acids （FFAs） and triglycerides （all P ＜0.05）.Immunohistochemistry showed decreased MMP-9 and TIMP-1 expression 12 weeks after surgery （P ＜ 0.01）.Conclusions DJB surgery on an induced T2DM rat model improves blood glucose levels and lipids,following a high-fat diet and low dose STZ treatment.In addition,DJB decreased MMP-9 and TIMP-1 expression in vascular endothelial cells,which may play an important role in delaying the development of T2DM vascular disease.