Integrin αvβ6 and matrix metalloproteinase 9 correlate with survival in gastric cancer

AIM: To investigate the expression of integrin αvβ6 and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), their association with prognostic factors and to assess their predictive role in gastric cancer patients.METHODS: Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the expressions of integrin αvβ6 and MMP-9 in 126 specimens from patients with primary gastric carcinoma. Associations between immunohistochemical staining and various clinic pathologic variables of tissue specimens were evaluated by the χ2 test and Fisher’s exact test. Expression correlation of αvβ6 and MMP-9 was assessed using bivariate correlation analysis. The patients were followed-up every 3 mo in the first two years and at least every 6 mo afterwards, with a median follow-up of 56 mo (ranging from 2 mo to 94 mo). Four different combinations of αvβ6 and MMP-9 levels (that is, both markers positive, both markers negative, αvβ6 positive with MMP-9 negative, and αvβ6 negative with MMP-9 positive) were evaluated for their relative effect on survival. The difference in survival curves was evaluated with a log-rank test. Survival analysis was conducted using the Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox proportional hazards model analysis.RESULTS: The expressions of integrin αvβ6 and MMP-9 were investigated in 126 cases, among which 34.92% were positive for αvβ6 expression, and 42.06% for MMP-9 expression. The expression of αvβ6 was associated with Lauren type, differentiation, N stage, and TNM stage (the P values were 0.006, 0.038, 0.016, and 0.002, respectively). While MMP-9 expression was associated with differentiation, T stage, N stage, and TNM stage (the P values were 0.039, 0.014, 0.033, and 0.008, respectively). The positive correlation between αvβ6 and MMP-9 in gastric cancer was confirmed by a correlation analysis. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that patients with expression of αvβ6 or MMP-9 alone died earlier than those with negative expression and that patients who were both αvβ6 and MMP-9 positive had a shorter overall survival than those with the opposite pattern (both αvβ6 and MMP-9 negative) (P = 0.000). A Cox model indicated that positive expression of αvβ6 and MMP-9, diffuse Lauren type, as well as a senior grade of N stage, M stage, and TNM stage were predictors of a poor prognosis in univariate analysis. Only αvβ6 and MMP-9 retained their significance when adjustments were made for other known prognostic factors in multivariate analysis (RR = 2.632, P = 0.003 and RR = 1.813, P = 0.007).CONCLUSION: The expression of αvβ6 and MMP-9 are closely correlated, and the combinational pattern of αvβ6 and MMP-9 can serve as a more effective prognostic index for gastric cancer patients.

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.

Electroacupuncture ameliorates blood-brain barrier disruption after ischemic stroke through histone acetylation regulation at the matrix metalloproteinase 9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2 genes

OBJECTIVE:To explore whether the regulation of matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP-9)/tissue inhibitors of MMPs(TIMPs)gene expression through histone acetylation is a possible mechanism by which electroacupuncture(EA)protects blood-brain barrier(BBB)integrity in a middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)rat model.METHODS:Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups:the sham group,the MCAO group,the MCAO+EA(MEA)group,and the MCAO+EA+HAT inhibitor(HATi)group.The MCAO model was generated by blocking the middle cerebral artery.EA was applied to Baihui(GV20).Samples were collected 1 or 3 d after reperfusion.Neurological function scores and Evans blue extravasation were employed to evaluate the poststroke injury.The effect of EA on MMP-9/TIMPs gene expression was assessed by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)and chromatin immunoprecipitation(ChIP).RESULTS:Our results showed that EA treatment prominently improved neurological function and ameliorated BBB disruption.The RT-qPCR assay showed that EA reduced the expression of MMP-9 and promoted TIMP-2 mRNA expression,but HATi reversed these effects of EA.In addition,ChIP results revealed that EA decreased the enrichment of H3K9ace/H3K27ace at MMP-9 promoters and notably stimulated the recruitment of H3K9ace/H3K27ace at TIMP-2 promoter.CONCLUSION:EA treatment at Baihui(GV20)regulates the transcription of MMP-9 and TIMP-2 through histone acetylation modification in the acute stage of stroke,which preserves the structural integrity of the BBB in MCAO rats.These findings suggested that the histone acetylation-mediated transcriptional activity of target genes may be a crucial mechanism of EA treatment in stroke.

Technetium-99m-methylene diphosphonate single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography combined with prostate-specific antigen/free prostate-specific antigen ratio for bone metastasis of prostate cancer

BACKGROUND Prostate cancer(PC)is one of the most common malignant tumors in men,and bone metastasis is one of its common complications,which seriously affects the quality of life and prognosis of patients.AIM To investigate the diagnostic value of technetium-99m-methylene diphosphonate(99mTc-MDP)single photon emission computed tomography(SPECT)/CT imaging combined with the serum prostate-specific antigen(PSA)/free PSA ratio for PC bone metastasis(PCBM).METHODS One hundred patients with PC who visited the Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2020 to January 2022 were recruited as the experimental(Exp)group,while 30 patients with benign prostatic lesions(BPLs)were recruited as the control(Ctrl)group.All patients underwent 99mTc-MDP SPECT/CT imaging and serum PSA/fPSA testing.The SPECT/CT imaging results and serum PSA/fPSA ratios of patients were analyzed to evaluate their diagnostic values for PCBM.RESULTS The difference in general information of the patients was not obvious,showing comparability.The two methods showed no visible differences in negative predictive value and sensitivity for patients with PCBM,but had great differences in positive predictive value and specificity(P<0.05).The PSA/fPSA ratio of patients with PC in the Exp group was lower than those with BPLs,and patients with PCBM had a much lower PSA/fPSA ratio than those without PC(P<0.05).The results confirmed that the combined use of 99mTc-MDP SPECT/CT imaging and serum PSA/fPSA ratio achieved a detection rate of 95%for PCBM.CONCLUSION The combination of 99mTc-MDP SPECT/CT and PSA/fPSA ratio is accurate and reliable for the diagnosis of PCBM,which provides an important reference for clinical practice.

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。

The expressions of CD147 and MMP-9 in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma cells and the relation to prognosis

Objective： The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of CD147 and matrix metalioprpteinsae 9 （MMP-9） in children with non-Hodgkin＇s lymphoma （NHL） and the relations between expressions of CD147 ＆ MMP-9 and the clinical indexes. Methods： Specimens excised from NHL patients were prepared. Expression of CD147 and MMP-9 were tested by SABC immunohistochemistry and its correlation to clinical results were analyzed in this report. Results： The positive rate of CD147 expression was 73% （45/62）, and that of MMP-9 expression was 81% （50/62）. There was a positive correlation between CD147 and MMP-9 expressions. CD147 expression intensity was linked to clinical myelo-infiltration, tumor size, LDH value, and clinical staging （P 〈 0.05）, rather than children age, gender, or immune typing （P 〉 0.05）; MMP-9 expression intensity was linked to myelo-infiltration, and clinical staging （P 〈 0.05）, rather than age, gender, immune typing, tumor size, or LDH value （P 〉 0.05）. Five-year survival rates were 78% （22/28） and 45% （15/34） in CD147 （-）-（＋） and （＋＋）-（＋＋＋） cases respectively, and those were 84% （21/25） and 43% （16/37） in MMP-9 （-）-（＋） and （＋＋）-（＋＋＋） cases respectively, the difference was significant. Conclusion： The elevated expression of CD147 and/or MMP-9 correlates with a poor clinical outcome in patients with NHL.

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 carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum on metastasis of ovarian carcinoma cell line SKOV_3

The long suspicion of the potential harm of carbon dioxide （CO2） pneumoperitoneum exists in laparoscopic cancer surgery. For better understanding of this problem, we targeted this study at the effects of CO2 pneumoperitoneum on the invasive ability of ovarian carcinoma cell line and the possible mechanism within it. To study the effects of CO2 pneumoperitoneum on carcinoma cell, SKOV3 cells were divided into 2 groups, respectively exposed to pneumoperitoneal CO2-insuffiation and normal conditions. To study the possible mechanism, SKOV3 cells were divided into 3 groups, one was exposed to CO2 pneumoperitoneum, one to N2 and the other to normal conditions served as control. The in vitro adhesive and invasive ability of the cells was analyzed through 3-（4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl）-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide （MTT） assay and Boyden filters metastasis model; the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor C （VEGF-C） and matrix metalloproteinase 9 （MMP9） were determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction（RT-PCR）, and Western blot. We found that the adhesive ratio of SKOV3 cells exposed to CO2 was significantly higher than that of the control group; cells exposed to CO2 invaded the matrigel with a greater number （P〈0.01）; the expression of VEGF-C exposed to both CO2 and N2 was significantly increased compared with control group （P〈0.05）; the MMP9 expression level of CO2 group was higher than that of N2 group, P〈0.05. We concluded that carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum may improve the adhesive and invasive ability of ovarian carcinoma cell line in vitro and CO2 can also be an independent factor to stimulate the expression of MMP9.

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.

Antisense MMP-9 RNA inhibits malignant glioma cell growth in vitro and in vivo

The matrix-degrading metalloproteinases （MMPs）, particularly MMP-9, play important roles in the pathogenesis and development of malignant gliomas. In the present study, the oncogenic role of MMP-9 in malignant glioma cells was investigated via antisense RNA blockade in vitro and in vivo. TJ905 malignant glioma cells were transfected with pcDNA3.0 vector expressing antisense MMP-9 RNA （pcDNA-AS-MMP9）, which significantly decreased MMP-9 expression, and cell proliferation was assessed. For in vivo studies, U251 cells, a human malignant glioma cell line, were implanted subcutaneously into 4-to 6-week-old BALB/c nude mice. The mice bearing well-established U251 gliomas were treated with intratumoral pcDNA-AS-MMP9-Lipofectamine complex （AS-MMP-9-treated group）, subcutaneous injection of endostatin （endostatin-treated group）, or both （combined therapy group）. Mice treated with pcDNA （empty vector）-Lipofectamine served as the control group. Four or eight weeks later, the volume and weight of tumor, MMP-9 expression, microvessel density and proliferative activity were assayed. We demonstrate that pcDNA-AS-MMP9 significantly decreased MMP-9 expression and inhibited glioma cell proliferation. Volume and weight of tumor, MMP-9 expression, microvessel density and proliferative activity in the antisense-MMP-9-treated and therapeutic alliance groups were significantly lower than those in the control group. The results suggest that MMP-9 not only promotes malignant glioma cell invasiveness, but also affects tumor cell proliferation. Blocking the expression of MMP-9 with antisense RNA substantially suppresses the malignant phenotype of glioma cells, and thus can be used as an effective therapeutic strategy for malignant gliomas.

Plasma levels of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 correlate with diagnosis and prognosis of glioma patients

Background There is no validated blood biomarker available for glioma management. Invasive growth is the key feature of glioma. We assessed the clinical usefulness of plasma tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 （TIMP-1）, which has less molecular weight than metalloproteinases, as a potential blood biomarker for glioma. Methods A total of 285 patients and 59 normal subjects were studied. Plasma concentration of TIMP-1 was measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Plasma TIMP-1 was compared between normal and glioma patients, between patients with different pathological grades, and between patients with different prognoses. Longitudinal changes in plasma TIMP-1 during treatment were also evaluated. Plasma matrix metalloproteinase （MMP）-9 level was also assayed and its clinical usefulness was compared with that of TIMP-1. Results Plasma TIMP-1 and MMP-9 were both increased in glioma patients compared with normal controls （TIMP-1： P 〈0.001; MMP-9： P=0.007）. Plasma TIMP-1 increases with increased tumor grade. In Grade Ⅳ gliomas, plasma TIMP- 1 significantly increased after ＂successful removal＂ of the tumor （paired samples t-test, before operation vs. during chemotherapy without recurrence, t = -2.131, P=0.038）, but did not change significantly at the time of tumor recurrence （during chemotherapy without recurrence vs. after tumor recurrence, t = -0.652, P=-0.632）. High plasma TIMP-1 level correlated with better survival in Grade IV glioma patients （hazard ratio： 0.550, 95% CI： 0.101-1.000, P=0.036）. In Grade IV gliomas, patients with higher plasma TIMP-1 had significantly longer survival time than those with lower plasma TIMP-1 level （25.23 vs. 18.95 months, log-rank P=0.045）. Plasma MMP-9 did not show significant association with either the pathological grade or the prognosis of glioma patients. Conclusions Plasma TIMP-1 is associated with the diagnosis and prognosis of glioma patients. It appears to have better usefulness for guiding clinical decision making than plasma MMP-9. Further studies in an expanded patient population are needed to better define its clinical usefulness.