Combined Detection of Serum Matrix Metalloproteinase 9,Acetyl Heparinase and Cathepsin L in Diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer

Objective： To investigate the clinic values of combining test of serum matrix metalloproteinase 9 （MMP-9）, acetyl heparinase （Hpa） and Cathepsin L （CL） in diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Methods： Serum levels of MMP-9, Hpa and CL were detected in a total of 418 cases, including 217 cases with ovarian malignant tumor, 100 cases with ovarian benign tumor and 101 healthy controls, by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Their correlation with clinicopathologic feature of ovarian malignant tumor was analyzed and their diagnosis performance was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic （ROC）. The combined diagnosis model was established by logistic regression analysis. Results： The serum levels of MMP-9, Hpa and CL were significantly higher in patients with ovarian malignant tumor than in benign tumor and healthy control, the serum levels of CL and Hpa were higher in epithelial cancer than in non-epithelial tumor, and MMP-9, Hpa and CL were elevated in low grade and advanced stage compared to high grade and early stage. The sensitivity for diagnosis of ovarian malignant tumor from high to low was CL, Hpa and MMP-9, and the specificity was MMP-9, CL and Hpa. The united diagnosis model was established and showed the sensitivity and specificity of combined detection were 84.6% and 82.1%, respectively, which were significantly higher than a single tumor marker. Conclusion： Serum MMP-9, Hpa and CL were correlated with ovarian malignant tumor and the combined detection of which may be valuable for clinical diagnosis of ovarian malignant tumor.

Matrix metalloproteinase 9 level as an indicator for restenosis following cervical and intracranial angioplasty and stenting

Cervical and intracranial angioplasty and stenting is an effective and safe method of reducing the risk of ischemic stroke, but it may be affected by in-stent restenosis. The present study in-vestigated serum level of matrix metalloproteinase 9 as a predictor of restenosis after 40 patients underwent cervical and/or intracranial angioplasty and stenting. Results showed that resteno-sis occurred in 30% （3/10） of patients when the serum level of matrix metalloproteinase 9 at 3 days after surgery was 2.5 times higher than preoperative level. No restenosis occurred when the serum level of matrix metalloproteinase 9 at 3 days after surgery was not 2.5 times higher than preoperative level. Restenosis occurred in 12% （2/17） of patients when the serum level of matrix metalloproteinase 9 was higher than preoperative level for more than 30 days after surgery, but only occurred in 4% （1/23） of patients when the serum level of matrix metalloproteinase 9 was higher than preoperative level for less than 30 days after surgery. However, the differences observed were not statistically signiifcant （P 〉 0.05）. Experimental ifndings indicate that when the serum level of matrix metalloproteinase 9 is 2.5 times higher than preoperative level at 3 days after cervi-cal and intracranial angioplasty and stenting, it may serve as a predictor of in-stent restenosis.

Diabetes-related intestinal region-specific thickening of ganglionic basement membrane and regionally decreased matrix metalloproteinase 9 expression in myenteric ganglia

BACKGROUND The importance of the neuronal microenvironment has been recently highlighted in gut region-specific diabetic enteric neuropathy. Regionally distinct thickening of endothelial basement membrane(BM) of intestinal capillaries supplying the myenteric ganglia coincide with neuronal damage in different intestinal segments. Accelerated synthesis of matrix molecules and reduced degradation of matrix components may also contribute to the imbalance of extracellular matrix dynamics resulting in BM thickening. Among the matrix degrading proteinases, matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP9) and its tissue inhibitor(TIMP1) are essential in regulating extracellular matrix remodelling.AIM To evaluate the intestinal segment-specific effects of diabetes and insulin replacement on ganglionic BM thickness, MMP9 and TIMP1 expression.METHODS Ten weeks after the onset of hyperglycaemia gut segments were taken from the duodenum and ileum of streptozotocin-induced diabetic, insulin-treated diabetic and sex-and age-matched control rats. The thickness of BM surrounding myenteric ganglia was measured by electron microscopic morphometry. Wholemount preparations of myenteric plexus were prepared from the different gut regions for MMP9/TIMP1 double-labelling fluorescent immunohistochemistry. Post-embedding immunogold electron microscopy was applied on ultrathin sections to evaluate the MMP9 and TIMP1 expression in myenteric ganglia and their microenvironment from different gut segments and conditions. The MMP9 and TIMP1 messenger ribonucleic acid(m RNA) level was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction.RESULTS Ten weeks after the onset of hyperglycaemia, the ganglionic BM was significantly thickened in the diabetic ileum, while it remained intact in the duodenum. The immediate insulin treatment prevented the diabetes-related thickening of the BM surrounding the ileal myenteric ganglia. Quantification of particle density showed an increasing tendency for MMP9 and a decreasing tendency for TIMP1 from the proximal to the distal small intestine under control conditions. In the diabetic ileum, the number of MMP9-indicating gold particles decreased in myenteric ganglia, endothelial cells of capillaries and intestinal smooth muscle cells, however, it remained unchanged in all duodenal compartments. The MMP9/TIMP1 ratio was also decreased in ileal ganglia only. However, a marked segment-specific induction was revealed in MMP9 and TIMP1 at the m RNA levels.CONCLUSION These findings support that the regional decrease in MMP9 expression in myenteric ganglia and their microenvironment may contribute to extracellular matrix accumulation, resulting in a region-specific thickening of ganglionic BM.

Comparision of high sensitivity C-reactive protein and matrix metalloproteinase 9 in patients with unstable angina between with and without significant coronary artery plaques

Background Inflammation within vulnerable coronary plaques may cause unstable angina by promoting rupture and erosion. C-reactive protein （CRP） is the most reliable and accessible test method for clinical use for identifying coronary artery disease event. Matrix metalloproteinase 9 （MMP-9） is highly over-expressed in the vulnerable regions of a plaque. Our aim was to evaluate the plasma levels of MMP-9 and hsCRP in subjects with both unstable angina and coronary plaques, as well as in those with unstable angina without coronary plaques.

Effects of matrix metalloproteinase 9 inhibition on the blood brain barrier and inflammation in rats following cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Background Neuroprotective strategies following cardiopulmonary resuscitation （CPR） are an important focus in emergency and critical care medicine. Matrix metalloproteinases （MMPs）, especially MMP9 attracted much attention because of its function in focal brain ischemia/reperfusion injury. In the focal cerebral ischemia model in rats, SB-3CT can suppress the expression of MMP9, relieving brain edema, and there was no studies on global cerebral ischemiareperfusion injury after CPR. Methods One hundred and twenty rats were randomly assigned to sham-operated （n=40）, resuscitation treatment （n=40）, and resuscitation control （n= 40） groups. Sham-operated group rats were anesthetized only and intubated tracheally, while the resuscitation treatment and resuscitation control groups also received cardiac arrest by asphyxiation, In the resuscitation treatment group, SB-3CT was injected intraperitoneally after restoring spontaneous circulation （ROSC）, defined as restoration of supraventricular rhythm and mean arterial pressure （MAP） 〉 60 mm Hg for more than 5 minutes. The resuscitation control group also implemented ROSC without injection of SB-3CT. The rats were executed and samples were taken immediately after death, then at 3, 9, 24, and 48 hours （n=-8）. Brain tissue expression of MMP9 protein, MMP9 mRNA, water content, Evans blue content, TNF-α, IL-1, and IL-6 was measured, and the brain tissue ultramicrostructure studied with electron microscopy. Results In the resuscitation control group, brain tissue expression of MMP9 protein and mRNA, water content, Evans blue content, TNF-α, IL-1, and IL-6 were significantly elevated at 3 hours, and peaked at 24 hours after resuscitation, when compared with the sham-operated group （P 〈0.05）. 1issue ultramicrostructure also changed in the resuscitation control group. By contrast, although all these indexes were increased in the resuscitation treatment group compared with the sham-operated group （P 〈0.05）, they were lower than in the resuscitation control group （P 〈0.05）. Conclusions Expression of MMP9 protein and mRNA, water content, Evans blue content, TNF-α, IL-1, and IL-6 increased in rat brain tissue after CPR, indicating disruption of the blood-brain barrier and excess inflammatory reaction. MMP9 expression was reduced with SB-3CT, resulting in reduced brain injury.

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.

Changes in biological behaviors of rat dermal f ibroblasts induced by high expression of MMP9

BACKGROUND: The high level of matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP9) is thought to slow down the healing of diabetic foot ulcers. Whether it can influence the biological behaviors of skin fi broblasts and affect wound healing is still unclear. The present study aimed to observe changes in the biological behaviors of rat dermal fi broblasts induced by high expression of MMP9 and to clarify the possible mechanisms of wound healing for diabetic foot.METHODS: A cell model of skin f ibroblast with high expression of MMP9 was established by coculture of high glucose(22.0 mmol/L) and homocysteine(100 μmol/L). A control group was incubated with normal glucose(5.5 mmol/L). Realtime PCR, ELISA and gelatin zymography were used to detect the MMP9 mRNA, protein expression and activity of MMP9. Flow cytometry, CCK-8, ELISA assay, scratch test and transwell were used to detect cell proliferation, viability, collagen(hydroxyproline) secretion, horizontal migration and vertical migration of cells. The data were expressed as mean±SD. P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically signif icant.RESULTS: The expression of MMP9 mRNA, protein levels and the activity of MMP9 were much higher in the high MMP9 group than in the control group(7.05±1.02 vs. 1.00±0.00, 206.9±33.6 pg/mL vs. 40.4±5.9 pg/mL, and 1.47±0.13 vs. 0.57±0.12, respectively, P<0.01). The proportion of S-phase cells, proliferation index, cell viability, collagen(hydroxyproline) secretion, horizontal migration rate and the number of vertical migration cells were lower in the high MMP9 group than in the control group(P<0.01).CONCLUSION: Fibroblasts with a high expression of MMP9 decreased proliferation, activity, secretion and migration of collagens, suggesting that MMP9 may inhibit the biological behaviors of fi broblasts.

基质金属蛋白酶-9反义寡核苷酸对前单核细胞THP-1粘附及基质金属蛋白酶-9表达的实验研究

目的 :探讨基质金属蛋白酶 9(MatrixMetalloproteinase 9,MMP 9)在前单核细胞THP 1分化过程中的作用。材料和方法 :采用硫化修饰的正、反义寡核苷酸 ,通过基因转染 ,观测其对THP 1粘附及用流式细胞仪检测MMP 9的表达。结果 :MMP 9反义寡核苷酸可有效的抑制THP 1的粘附和MMP 9的表达。结论 :MMP 9在前单核细胞的分化过程中起重要的作用。

Role of lymphotoxin alpha as a new molecular biomarker in revolutionizing tear diagnostic testing for dry eye disease

Dry eye disease(DED),primarily classified as multifactorial ocular surface disorder,afflicts tens of millions of individuals worldwide,adversely impacting their quality of life.Extensive research has been conducted on tear film analysis over the past decades,offering a range of tests to evaluate its volume,health,and integrity.Yet,early diagnosis and effective treatment for DED continue to pose significant challenges in clinical settings.Nevertheless,by recognizing key phenomena in DED such as ocular surface inflammation,hyperosmolarity,and tear film instability,this article provides a comprehensive overview of both traditional and recently developed methods for diagnosing and monitoring DED.The information serves as a valuable resource not only for clinical diagnosis but also for further research into DED.

Hypoxia-controlled matrix metalloproteinase-9 hyperexpression promotes behavioral recovery after ischemia

Matrix metalloproteinase-9（MMP-9） plays a beneficial role in the sub-acute phase after ischemic stroke.However,unrestrained MMP-9 may disrupt the blood-brain barrier（BBB）,which has limited its use for the treatment of brain ischemia.In the present study,we constructed lentivirus mediated hypoxiacontrolled MMP-9 expression and explored its role after stroke.Hypoxia response element（HRE）was used to confine MMP-9 expression only to the hypoxic region of mouse brain after 120-min transient middle cerebral artery occlusion.Lentiviruses were injected into the peri-infarct area on day 7 after transient ischemia.We found hyperexpression of exogenous HRE-MMP-9 under the control of hypoxia,and its expression was mainly located in neurons and astrocytes without aggravation of BBB damage compared to the CMV group.Furthermore,mice in the HRE-MMP-9 group showed the best behavioral recovery compared with the normal saline,GFP,and SB-3CT groups.Therefore,hypoxia-controlled MMP-9 hyperexpression during the sub-acute phase of ischemia may provide a novel promising approach of gene therapy for stroke.

Effects of Biejia Ruangan Tablet(复方鳖甲软肝片)-Containing Serum on Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 and Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 Expression in Cultured Renal Interstitial Fibroblasts

Objective： To investigate the effects of Biejia Ruangan Tablet （复方鳖甲软肝片, BRT）- containing serum on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase （MMP-9） and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase （TIMP-1） in cultured renal interstitial fibroblasts. Methods： Different BRT-containing sera were prepared by gastric gavages to rats with the high-dose （7 g/kg）, mid-dose （3.5 g/kg）, and low-dose （1.75 g/kg） BRT respectively. The expression of extracellular matrix in NRK-49F cells was induced by treatment with human transforming growth factor-β1 （recombined human TGF-β 1）, and BRT-containing serum. Western blotting and Northern blotting were used to measure type I and III procollagen, MMP-9, and TIMP-1. Results： The high dose BRT-containing serum could decrease the type Ⅰ and Ⅲ procollagen gene expression which boosted by TGF- 13 1, at the same time cut down TIMP-1 protein and gene expression which increased by TGF- β1 （P〈0.05）. Treatment of cells with recombined human TGF-β 1 had no significant effect on MMP-9 expression and BRT- containing serum also had no effect on MMP-9 expression. Conclusions： High dose BRT has anti-fibrosis effects in NRK-49F cells, as indicated by its inhibition of type Ⅰ and Ⅲ procollagen and TIMP-1 expression.

The expression of matrix metalloproteinases-9, transforming growth factor-β1 and transforming growth factor-β receptorⅠ in human atherosclerotic plaque and their relationship with plaque stability

Background Transforming growth factor beta (TGF β) and matrix metalloproteinases 9 (MMP 9) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of human atherosclerosis but their relationship during lesion progression are poorly understood The objective of this study was to investigate the expression of MMP 9, TGF β1 and TGF β receptor Ⅰ (TβR Ⅰ) in human atherosclerotic plaque and their relationship and plaque stability Methods Specimens of human coronary artery atherosclerotic plaques were obtained from 41 patients undergoing coronary endarterectomy, and were paraffin embedded, sectioned at 4 μm intervals then stained with haematoxylin and eosin They were divided into stable (with no or only little lipid core) and unstable plaque groups (with lipid core size>40%): the immunohistochemical staining were performed for MMP 9,TGF β1 and TβR Ⅰ Results The expression of MMP 9 in the unstable plaques was much higher than in the stable ones, but the expression of TGF β1 was higher in the stable plaques There was no similar significant difference for TβR Ⅰ Correlation analysis showed that there was a negative correlation between the expression of MMP 9 and TGF β1 ( r =-0 332, P =0 034 for average areal density; r =-0 373, P = 0 016 for average optical density) Conclusions There were close relationships between MMP 9, TGF β1 and plaque stability Enhanced production of MMP 9 may participate in the formation of unstable plaque, while TGF β1 maybe an important stabilizing factor in preventing transition into an unstable plaque phenotype

Relationship between Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 4E and Malignant Angiogenesis in Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

The relationship between angiogenesis and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E （EIF4E） expression level in non Hodgkin lymphoma （NHL） was studied. Mean microvessel density （MVD） and EIF4E were detected in 52 lymph node samples paraffin sections of patients with newly diagnosed NHL by the way of immunohistochemistry. Antisense EIF4E cDNA was cloned into plasmid pcDNA3.1 （＋） and transfected into Raji cells. A series of angiogenesis related factors,including vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）, matrix metalloproteinases 9 （MMP-9） and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 （TIMP-2） proteins were detected by Western blot. The results showed that： （1） The Expression of EIF4E and MVD was higher in aggressive lymphomas than in indolent lymphomas（P〈0.05）and the expression of EIF4E was positively correlated with MVD in lymph node of NHL（r=0. 695, P〈0.01）. （2） Antisense EIF4E eukaryocytic expression vector （pcDNA3. 1-EIF4Eas） was constructed successfully. （3） EIF4E, VEGF and MMP-9 were expressed at high levels in Raji cells as compared to normal human peripheral blood monocular cells （NHPMC）, and blockage of EIF4E expression brought down the expression of VEGF and MMP-9. However, TIMP-2 was undetectable in Rail cells, although a moderate level of TIMP-2 was detected in NHPMC. It was concluded that the increased EIF4E expression was associated with aggressive property of NHL.

Regulative effect of Taohong Siwu decoction(桃红四物汤) on extracellular matrix of endometrium in drug-induced abortion

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of Taohong Siwu decoction(桃红四物汤, THSWD) on the extracellular matrix of endometrium in rats following drug-induced abortion.METHODS: Thirty-six pregnant female rats were administered mifepristone and misoprostol to induce abortion, and amounts of uterine bleeding were recorded. Pathological damage and collagen accumulation were detected by hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson’s trichrome staining in uterus, respectively. Myeloperoxidase was evaluated by immunohistochemistry.The expression levels of fibronectin, laminin, matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP-9), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1(TIMP-1) were quantified using western blotting.RESULTS: THSWD could promote endometrial protection in rats following drug-induced abortion.The contents of cellulose and myeloperoxidase were significantly decreased in uterine tissue of THSWD-treated groups. Moreover, THSWD significantly decreased the expression levels of fibronectin, laminin, and TIMP-1. THSWD also significantly increased MMP-9 expression and the MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio.CONCLUSION: THSWD plays a critical role in endometrial protection by reducing extracellular matrix deposition and uterine fibrosis. These effects may have been achieved by increasing MMP-9, reducing TIMP-1, and/or altering the ratio of MMP-9/TIMP-1.

Knockdown of Decoy Receptor 3 Impairs Growth and Invasiveness of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Line of HepG2

Background：Decoy receptor 3 （DcR3） binds to Fas ligand （FasL） and inhibits FasL-induced apoptosis.The receptor is overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）,and it is associated with the growth and metastatic spread of tumors.DcR3 holds promises as a new target for the treatment of HCC,but little is known regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying the oncogenic properties of DcR3.The present work,therefore,examined the role of DcR3 in regulating the growth and invasive property of liver cancer cell HepG2.Methods：HepG2 cells were stably transfected with lentivirus-based short hairpin RNA vector targeting DcR3.After the knockdown of DcR3 was confirmed,cell proliferation,clone formation,ability of migrating across transwell membrane,and wound healing were assessed in vitro.Matrix metalloproteinase-9 （MMP 9） and vascular epithelial growth factor （VEGF）-C and D expressions of the DcR3 knockdown were also studied.Comparisons between multiple groups were done using one-way analysis of variance （ANOVA）,while pairwise comparisons were performed using Student＇s t test.P 〈 0.05 was regarded statistically significant.Results：DcR3 was overexpressed in HepG2 compared to other HCC cell lines and normal hepatocyte Lo-2.Stable knockdown of DcR3 slowed down the growth of HepG2 （P 〈 0.05） and reduced the number of clones formed by 50% compared to those without DcR3 knockdown （P 〈 0.05）.The knockdown also reduced the migration of HepG2 across transwell matrix membrane by five folds compared to the control （P 〈 0.05） and suppressed the closure of scratch wound （P 〈 0.05）.In addition,the messenger RNA levels of MMP 9,VEGF-C,and VEGF-D were significantly suppressed by DcR3 knockdown by 90% when compared with the mock control （P 〈 0.05）.Conclusions：Loss of DcR3 impaired the growth and invasive property of HCC cell line of HepG2.Targeting DcR3 may be a potential therapeutic approach for the treatment of HCC.

Exploring Molecular Mechanism underlying Chinese Medicine Syndrome:A Study on Correlation between Chinese Medicine Syndrome and Biomarkers for Ischemic Stroke

Objective：To investigate whether Chinese medicine（CM）syndrome is associated with particular molecular mechanism,we explored the correlation between CM syndrome and changes of intercellular adhesion molecule-1（ICAM-1）,matrix metalloproteinase 9（MMP-9）and heat shock protein 70（HSP70）in patients with ischemic stroke,which were reported to play an important role in the inflammatory and apoptosis cascade.Methods：CM syndrome factors of 175 patients with ischemic stroke were assessed using Ischemic Stroke CM Syndrome Factor Diagnostic Scale（ISTSFDS）.The patients were grouped according to the main syndrome factor combinations at different time points based on distribution probability of syndrome factor combinations.Blood levels of ICAM-1,MMP-9 and HSP70 were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results：ICAM-1 expression was significantly higher in the internal-wind＋phlegm-dampness＋blood-stasis,phlegmdampness＋blood-stasis,internal-fire＋phlegm-dampness＋blood-stasis group than that in the blood-stasis＋qideficiency group within 72 h from stroke onset（P〈0.05）;HSP70 expression was significantly lower in the phlegm-dampness＋blood-stasis,internal-fire＋phlegm-dampness＋blood-stasis,blood-stasis group than that in the phlegm-dampness＋blood-stasis＋qi-deficiency group on the 7th day from stroke onset（P〈0.05）.Conclusions：Phlegm-dampness and blood-stasis exist through the whole process of ischemic stroke.An increased level of ICAM-1 and a reduced level of HSP70 reflect the pathological state of phlegm-stasis mutual binding.These results suggest that inflammation and apoptosis induced by cerebral vascular injury in the pathological processes of ischemic stroke are more prominent in the excess syndrome state like phlegm-dampness and blood-stasis.

Acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain 3 regulates AKT phosphorylation and the functional activity of human prostate cancer cells

Metastasis is the main cause of cancer-specific death in patients with prostate cancer(PCa).Acyl-coenzyme A synthetase long-chain family member 3(ACSL3)is involved in the metabolic reprogramming of multiple types of cancer cells,but its role in PCa metastasis remains largely unknown.Here,we determined the effect of overexpression or small interfering RNA-mediated depletion of ACSL3 on the migratory and invasive abilities of human PCa cell lines.We also conducted phospho-protein microarray analysis to identify signaling pathway components affected by ACSL3 modulation.Overexpression of ACSL3 promoted the migration and invasion of PCa cells,whereas ACSL3 downregulation had the opposite effects.Mechanistically,phospho-protein analysis showed that ACSL3 regulated the phosphorylation of AKT and the expression of matrix metalloproteinase9.Our results support a potential role for ACSL3 in promoting the metastatic behavior of PCa,possibly via AKT/matrix metalloproteinase9 pathways.Thus,ACSL3 could be a novel target for the development of treatments for PCa.