Increased expression levels of metalloprotease, tissue inhibitor of metalloprotease, metallothionein, and p63 in ectopic endometrium: an animal experimental study / Aumento nos níveis de expressão de metaloprotease, inibidor tecidual das metaloproteases, metalotioneina e p63 em endométrio ectópico: um estudo experimental animal

Abstract Objective To characterize the patterns of cell differentiation, proliferation, and tissue invasion in eutopic and ectopic endometrium of rabbits with induced endometriotic lesions via a well- known experimental model, 4 and 8 weeks after the endometrial implantation procedure. Methods Twenty-nine female New Zealand rabbits underwent laparotomy for endometriosis induction through the resection of one uterine horn, isolation of the endometrium, and fixation of tissue segment to the pelvic peritoneum. Two groups of animals (one with 14 animals, and the other with15) were sacrificed 4 and 8 weeks after endometriosis induction. The lesion was excised along with the opposite uterine horn for endometrial gland and stroma determination. Immunohistochemical reactions were performed in eutopic and ectopic endometrial tissues for analysis of the following markers: metalloprotease (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloprotease (TIMP-2), which are involved in the invasive capacity of the endometrial tissue; and metallothionein (MT) and p63, which are involved in cell differentiation and proliferation. Results The intensity of the immunostaining for MMP9, TIMP-2, MT, and p63 was higher in ectopic endometria than in eutopic endometria. However, when the ectopic lesions were compared at 4 and 8 weeks, no significant difference was observed, with the exception of the marker p63, which was more evident after 8 weeks of evolution of the ectopic endometrial tissue. Conclusion Ectopic endometrial lesions seem to express greater power for cell differentiation and tissue invasion, compared with eutopic endometria, demonstrating a potentially invasive, progressive, and heterogeneous presentation of endometriosis.

Resumo Objetivo Caracterizar o padrão de diferenciação celular, proliferação e invasão tecidual em endométrio eutópico e ectópico de coelhas com lesões de endometriose induzidas por um modelo experimental 4 e 8 semanas após o procedimento de implantação endometrial. Métodos Vinte e nove coelhas fêmeas Nova Zelândia foram submetidas a laparotomia para indução de endometriose através da ressecção de um dos cornos uterinos, isolamento do endométrio e fixação do tecido no peritônio pélvico. Dois grupos de animais (14 animais em um grupo e 15 animais no outro) foram sacrificados 4 e 8 semanas após a indução da endometriose. A lesão foi excisada junto com o corno uterino contralateral para determinação da presença de glândulas e de estroma endometrial. Reações de imunohistoquímica foram realizadas no tecido endometrial eutópico e ectópico para análise dos seguintes marcadores: metaloprotease (MMP9) e inibidor tecidual da metaloprotease 2 (TIMP-2), os quais estão envolvidos na capacidade de invasão do tecido endometrial; e metalotioneina (MT) e p63, os quais estão envolvidos na diferenciação e proliferação celular. Resultados A intensidade da imunomarcação para MMP9, TIMP-2, MT e p63 foi mais alta nos endométrios ectópicos do que nos endométrios eutópicos. Contudo, quando as lesões foram comparadas entre 4 e 8 semanas, nenhuma diferença foi observada, com exceção do marcador p63, o qual foi mais evidente depois de 8 semanas de evolução do tecido endometrial ectópico. Conclusão Lesões endometriais ectópicas parecem expressar maior poder de diferenciação celular e de invasão tecidual comparadas com endométrios eutópicos, demonstrando o potencial de invasão, de progressão e de apresentação heterogênea da endometriose.

6-Gingerol inhibits hair cycle via induction of MMP2 and MMP9 expression

ABSTRACT 6-Gingerol is the major active constituent of ginger. In the current study, we aimed to investigate the mechanisms underlying the effects of 6-Gingerol on hair growth. Mice were randomly divided into five groups; after hair depilation (day 0), mice were treated with saline, or different concentrations of 6-Gingerol for 11 days. The histomorphological characteristics of the growing hair follicles were examined after hematoxylin and eosin staining. The results indicated that 6-Gingerol significantly suppressed hair growth compared with that in the control group. And choose the concentration of 6-Gingerol at 1 mg/mL to treated with mice. Moreover, 6-Gingerol (1 mg/mL) significantly reduced hair re-growth ratio, hair follicle number, and hair follicle length, which were associated with increased expression of MMP2 and MMP9. Furthermore, the growth factors, such as EGF, KGF, VEGF, IGF-1 and TGF-β participate in the hair follicle cycle regulation and regulate hair growth. We then measured the concentrations of them using ELISA assays, and the results showed that 6-Gingerol decreased EGF, KGF, VEGF, and IGF-1 concentrations, and increased TGF-β concentration. Thus, this study showed that 6-Gingerol might act as a hair growth suppressive drug via induction of MMP2 and MMP9 expression, which could interfere with the hair cycle.

Avaliação da eficácia de três marcadores imunoistoquímicos envolvidos nos diferentes tempos da cicatrização da ferida cirúrgica / Comparative efficacy of immunohistochemical markers in surgical healing

RESUMO Objetivo: avaliar a eficácia de três marcadores imunoistoquímicos envolvidos no processo de cicatrização de ferida cirúrgica. Métodos: estudo experimental em 40 ratos da raça Wistar, dos marcadores metaloproteinases e metaloproteinase da matriz 9 (MMP-9), fator de transformação do crescimento beta (TGF-β) e miofibroblasto e alfa actina de músculo liso (α-AML), estudados a partir de fragmentos de cicatriz cirúrgica de incisão abdominal envolvendo pele, aponeurose e peritônio. Os animais foram distribuídos em quatro subgrupos de dez de acordo com o dia da morte, programada em três, sete, 14 e 21 dias. Resultados: na expressão da MMP-9 ocorreu aumento progressivo de sua concentração, mais evidente do 7º ao 14º dias variando a imuno-expressão tecidual entre 2,65% e 11,50%.TGF- β mostrou expressão em nível alto no 3º dia, caiu no 7º, voltando a subir no 14º, com pequena queda no 21º dia variando a imuno-expressão tecidual entre 0,03% e 2,92%. A α-AML apresentou níveis com pouca variação e discreto aumento variando a imuno-expressão tecidual entre 0,88% e 3,23%. Conclusão: a MMP-9 se apresentou como melhor marcador, seguido pela TGF-β. Já o α-AML não se mostrou um bom sinalizador da evolução da reparação tissular.

ABSTRACT Objective: to evaluate the efficacy of three immunohistochemical markers involved in the wound healing process. Methods: experimental study of 40 Wistar rats of the markers metalloproteinases and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), beta transforming growth factor (TGF-β) and myofibroblasts and smooth muscle actin alpha (α-MLA) markers, studied from fragments of surgical scar of abdominal incision involving skin, aponeurosis and peritoneum. The animals were divided into four subgroups of ten according to the day of death, scheduled in three, seven, 14 and 21 days. Results: MMP-9 expression showed a progressive increase of its concentration, more evident from 7th to 14th days, varying the tissue immunoexpression between 2.65% and 11.50% . TGF- β showed expression at high level on the 3rd day, fell in the 7th, rising again in the 14th, with a small decrease in the 21st day, varying the tissue immunoexpression between 0.03% and 2.92%. The α-AML presented levels with little variation and a slight increase, varying the tissue immunoexpression between 0.88% and 3.23%. Conclusion: MMP-9 presented as the best marker, followed by TGF-β. However, α-AML was not a good indicator of the evolution of tissue repair.

Role of Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP) 2 and MMP-9 in Soft Tissue Sarcoma

BACKGROUND: We investigated the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH), and determined whether these could be useful as prognostic factors. METHODS: Among patients treated from 1993 to 2007, 30 cases of MFH were evaluated. Immunohistochemical staining was performed for MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 using paraffin wax-embedded blocks of MFH tissues. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot and zymography were performed using fresh tissues obtained from 17 of the 30 cases. The levels of MMP and TIMP expression were compared between the MFH and normal control groups, and between non-metastatic and metastatic MFH groups. RESULTS: Expression levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 were higher in the MFH group than the control group by RT-PCR, Western blotting, and zymography. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that MMP-2 and MMP-9 protein expression was higher in the metastatic than in the non-metastatic group. The expression levels of MMP-2 and TIMP-1 were significantly higher in the metastatic than in the non-metastatic group (p 0.05). Finally, gelatin zymography analysis showed that the expression levels of the pro- and active forms of MMP-2 were significantly higher in the metastatic group (p 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 may have important roles in the development and progression of MFH, and that the degree of expression of these metalloproteinases and their inhibitors, especially MMP-2, could be useful as prognostic factors related to metastasis in MFH.

Increased expression of COX-2 in recurrent basal cell carcinoma of the skin: A pilot study.

Introduction: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most frequent malignant skin tumor. BCC rarely metastasizes, but it is often locally aggressive. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is critical for tumor formation, angiogenesis and metastasis. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are the members of the family of zinc (Zn)- and calcium-dependent endopeptidases that degrade the extracellular matrix. Materials and Methods: In our study, we used immunohistochemical methods for the evaluation of COX-2, MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression in tissue samples of 30 primary and 10 recurrent skin BCC cases. Results: Immunohistochemical COX-2 expression was significantly higher in the infiltrating pattern of BCC compared with the nodular (P = 0.005) and superficial (P = 0.041) subtypes in the primary BCC group. There was not a significant difference between nodular and superficial BCCs for COX-2 expression. In addition, COX-2 expression was significantly higher in the recurrent BCC group than in the primary BCC group (P = 0.030). There was no statistically significant difference between the histological subtypes of primary BCCs and between primary and recurrent BCCs for MMP-2 and MMP-9 expressions. Conclusions: Our data confirm previous findings that COX-2 and MMP-9 expressions are increased in BCC. Our results revealed an elevated COX-2 expression in recurrent BCCs. We suggest that COX-2 inhibition might have beneficial effects in BCCs, especially for the tumors with a higher level of COX-2 expression or aggressive phenotype.

Análise do padrão de expressão de MMP-2, -9 e -8 em tecido humano pulpar normal e inflamado / Analysis of the expression perfile of MMP-2, -9 and -8 in normal and inflamed human pulp tissue

As metaloproteinases da matriz (MMPs) foram relacionadas a diversas doenças inflamatórias como artrite e também ao câncer. O presente trabalho tem por objetivo estabelecer o papel da MMP-2, MMP-9 e MMP-8 no processo de inflamação pulpar. Foram adotadas as seguintes hipóteses nulas: (1) o padrão de expressão das MMP-2, MMP-9 e MMP-8 não sofre alteração nos diferentes estágios da polpa humana: normal, reversível, transição, irreversível ou necrose; (2) não há diferença de expressão das MMP-2, -9 e MMP-8, considerando-se um mesmo estágio de inflamação tecidual pulpar. Os métodos utilizados foram: (I) Obtenção dos espécimes, que foram divididos em grupos de acordo com critérios adotados de semiologia subjetiva e objetiva. Obtiveram-se os seguintes grupos: GI (Controle) dentes hígidos (n=7); GII (Pulpite Reversível n=4); GIII (Pulpite Transição n=4); GIV (Pulpite Irreversível/Necrose n=8). Logo após exodontia, os dentes obtidos foram cortados ligeiramente abaixo da junção amelodentinária e fixados em formol a 10% por 48h. Foram lavados em água corrente (24h) para então serem processados histologicamente. Foram obtidas secções de 4m, aderidas em lâminas silanizadas e submetidas à imunomarcação (Técnica da Peroxidase), utilizando os anticorpos anti MMP-2, MMP-9 e MMP-8 humanos. A presença de imunomarcação foi realizada através da análise semi-quantitativa por escores, sendo que a quantificação de marcação por corte seguiu o seguinte escore: 0= ausente; 1= leve; 2= moderada; 3= intensa. Realizou-se teste estatístico não paramétrico Kruskal-Wallis, p<0,05. As comparações intergrupos revelaram, para CO: (1)MMP-2 - GI=GII=GIII, GIII=GIV, GI>GIV (p<0,01) e GII>GIV (p<0,05); (2)MMP-9 GI=GII=GIV, GII=GIII e GIII>GI (p<0,01); (3)MMP-8 GI=GII=GIII=GIV. Na região central da polpa, obteve-se: (1)MMP-2 GI=GII=GIII, GIII=GIV, GI>GIV (p<0,001) e GII>GIV (p<0,01); (2)MMP-9 GI=GII=GIII, GIII=GIV, GIV>GI (p<0,001) e GIV>GII (p<0,01); (3)MMP-8 GI=GII, GIII=GIV, GIII>GI (p<0,05),...

The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been related to various inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis, as well as to cancer. The aim of the present study was to establish the role of MMP-2, MMP-9 and MMP-8 in the process of dental pulp inflammation. The following null hypotheses were adopted: (1) the pattern of MMP-2, MMP-9 and MMP-8 expression does not undergo alteration in the following different stages of human pulp: normal, reversible, transition, irreversible or necrosis; (2) there is no difference in the expression of MMP-2, -9 and MMP-8, when considering the same stage of pulp tissue inflammation. The methods used were: (I) Obtainment of specimens, which were divided into groups according to the subjective and objective criteria of semiology adopted. The following groups were obtained: GI (Control) healthy teeth (n=7); GII (Reversible Pulpitis n=4); GIII (Transition Pulpitis n=4); GIV (Irreversible Pulpitis/Necrosis n=8). Soon after extraction the teeth obtained were cut slightly below the amelodentinal junction and fixed in 10% formol for 48h. They were washed under running water (24h) and were histologically processed afterwards. Sections of 4m were obtained, adhered to silanized slides, and submitted to immunomarking (Peroxidase Technique), using human anti MMP-2, MMP-9 and MMP- 8 antibodies. The presence of immunomarking was determined through semi-quantitative analysis by scores, and marking by cut was quantified using the following score: 0= absent; 1= slight; 2= moderate; 3= intense. The Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric statistical test was performed, p<0.05. Intergroup comparisons revealed the following: for CO: (1)MMP-2 - GI=GII=GIII, GIII=GIV, GI>GIV (p<0.01) and GII>GIV (p<0.05); (2)MMP-9 GI=GII=GIV, GII=GIII and GIII>GI (p<0,01); (3)MMP-8 GI=GII=GIII=GIV. In the central region of the pulp, the following results were obtained: (1)MMP-2 GI=GII=GIII, GIII=GIV, GI>GIV (p<0.001) and GII>GIV (p<0.01); (2)MMP-9 GI=GII=GIII, GIII=GIV, GIV>GI...

Toll-like receptor 9 dependent activation of MAPK and NF-kB is required for the CpG ODN-induced matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression

Unmethylated CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG ODNs) activate immune cells to produce immune mediators. This study demonstrates that in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells, CpG ODN-mediated matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression is regulated at transcriptional level and requires de novo protein synthesis. Inhibition of ERK and p38 MAPK, but not JNK, results in significant decrease of CpG ODN-induced MMP-9 expression. We found that endosomal maturation inhibitors, chloroquine and bafilomycin A, block CpG ODN-induced ERK and p38 MAPK activation and the subsequent MMP-9 expression. We also observed that CpG ODN induces NF-kappa B activation and NF-kappa B is a downstream target of p38 MAPK. Taken together, our data demonstrate that CpG ODN triggers MMP-9 expression via TLR-9 dependent ERK and p38 MAPK activation followed by NF-kappa B activation.