Oncology reports
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Comparative Study
In situ gene expression and localization of metalloproteinases MMP1, MMP2, MMP3, MMP9, and their inhibitors TIMP1 and TIMP2 in human renal cell carcinoma.
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors (TIMPs) play a major role in the maintenance of extracellular matrix homeostasis. Alterations of MMP and TIMP expressions have been found in several malignant tumour entities. In this study the expression pattern of MMP1, MMP2, MMP3, MMP9, and their inhibitors TIMP1, and TIMP2 were investigated at mRNA and protein levels in human renal cell carcinoma (RCC). ⋯ We found a pronounced expression for the gelatinases MMP2 and MMP9 and for MMP3 in RCC at the mRNA and protein level. The expression of TIMP1 and TIMP2 appears also to be relevant in RCC. Due to the small sample size further investigations need to be done to prove a statistical significant correlation between the MMP/TIMP expression and clinicopathological parameters.