Immunohistochemical detection of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in ameloblastomas.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

To evaluate the roles of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) in tumor progression, expression of MMP-1, -2 and -9 and TIMP-1 and -2 was analyzed in ameloblastomas as well as tooth germs.

METHODS:

Frozen tissue sections of seven tooth germs and 22 ameloblastomas were immunohistochemically examined using anti-MMP-1, -2 and -9 and anti-TIMP-1 and -2 antibodies.

RESULTS:

MMP-1, -2 and -9 and TIMP-1 and -2 were expressed strongly in mesenchymal components of tooth germs, and stromal cells of ameloblastomas. Immunoreactivity for MMP-9 in stromal cells of ameloblastomas was significantly stronger than in mesenchymal cells of dental follicles and dental papillae. Dental laminae showed weak MMP-2 expression in six tooth germs, MMP-9 expression in two tooth germs and TIMP-1 expression in six tooth germs. Some tumor cells showed weak MMP-2 expression in 19 ameloblastomas, MMP-9 expression in four ameloblastomas and TIMP-1 expression in all cases. TIMP-2 reactivity was prominently found in basement membrane zones of dental laminae in tooth germs, and tumor cell islands or nests in ameloblastomas.

CONCLUSION:

Expression of MMPs and TIMPs was considered to be associated with interactions between epithelial cells and mesenchymal components in normal and neoplastic odontogenic tissues; these molecules might play a role in regulation of tumor progression in ameloblastomas as well as regulation of developmental processes in tooth germs.

• Authors: Hiroyuki Kumamoto, Kensuke Yamauchi, Mitsuhide Yoshida, Kiyoshi Ooya
• Journal: Journal of oral pathology & medicine : official publication of the International Association of Oral Pathologists and the American Academy of Oral Pathology (J Oral Pathol Med) Vol. 32 Issue 2 Pg. 114-20 (Feb 2003) ISSN: 0904-2512 [Print] Denmark
• PMID: 12542835 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases
• Matrix Metalloproteinases

Topics

• Adolescent
• Ameloblastoma (enzymology)
• Case-Control Studies
• Disease Progression
• Female
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Jaw Neoplasms (enzymology)
• Male
• Matrix Metalloproteinases (biosynthesis)
• Statistics, Nonparametric
• Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases (biosynthesis)
• Tooth Germ (enzymology)