Clinicopathological significance of human macrophage metalloelastase expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Human macrophage metalloelastase is referred to as matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-12), its function in tumors is contradictory. The current study was undertaken to investigate the role of MMP-12 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

We analyzed the levels of MMP-12 mRNA expression in 67 patients with primary esophageal SCC by Northern blot analysis and the tissues were subjected to in situ hybridization analysis for MMP-12. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to detect the macrophages infiltrated in esophageal SCCs.

RESULTS:

MMP-12 mRNA was detected in 27 of 67 esophageal SCC samples by Northern blot analysis. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemical staining revealed that MMP-12 mRNA signals are located mainly in tumor cells. The frequency of lymph node metastasis was significantly higher in the MMP-12-positive (MMP-12(+)) subgroup than MMP-12-negative (MMP-12(-)) subgroup (p < 0.05); furthermore, invasion was significantly deeper in the MMP- 12(+) subgroup than in the MMP-12(-) subgroup (p < 0.01). MMP-12 mRNA was inversely correlated with prognosis (p < 0.05). However, Cox multivariate analysis revealed that upregulation of MMP-12 was not related to prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS:

MMP-12 gene expression was associated with the progression of esophageal SCC; however, it was not an independent prognostic factor.

• Authors: Yongzeng Ding, Yutaka Shimada, Manuel J Gorrin-Rivas, Atsushi Itami, Zhigang Li, Tao Hong, Masato Maeda, Izumi Komoto, Atsushi Kawabe, Junichi Kaganoi, Masayuki Imamura
• Journal: Oncology (Oncology) Vol. 63 Issue 4 Pg. 378-84 ( 2002) ISSN: 0030-2414 [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 12417793 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel

Chemical References

• RNA, Messenger
• Metalloendopeptidases
• MMP12 protein, human
• Matrix Metalloproteinase 12

Topics

• Aged
• Blotting, Northern
• Carcinoma, Squamous Cell (enzymology, pathology)
• Disease Progression
• Esophageal Neoplasms (enzymology, pathology)
• Female
• Gene Expression
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Male
• Matrix Metalloproteinase 12
• Metalloendopeptidases (biosynthesis, metabolism)
• Middle Aged
• RNA, Messenger (analysis)