Expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitor (TIMP) genes on mRNA and protein levels in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Introduction. To investigate the mRNA and protein expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, MMP-7 and their tissue inhibitor TIMP-2 in tissue specimens with oral squamous cell cancer (OSCC) and in healthy tissues. Material and methods. The expression genes of MMP-2, MMP-9, MMP-7 and TIMP-2 on mRNA levels were detected by the RT-PCR method in 31 samples with oral squamous cell carcinoma and in 31 healthy, control tissues. Secondly, the concentration of the analysed metalloproteinases and their inhibitor was assessed in tumor and non-tumor tissues using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Results. The mean values of gene expression of MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-9 and TIMP in tissues with oral squamous cell cancer were significantly higher in comparison to normal ones (p < 0.0001). Similar observations were found for concentration levels of analysed MMPs and TIMP in tissues with and without oral cancer (p < 0.0001). Conclusions. The present study demonstrated that MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-9 and TIMP-2 gene expression on protein and mRNA levels is higher in oral squamous cell carcinoma tissues than in healthy control tissues. This may suggest that MMPs and TIMP play an important role in tumorogenesis. We did not observe any correlation between the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with OSCC and expression levels of MMPs and TIMP.