The expression of MMP-2 in human middle ear cholesteatoma

Purpose To evaluate the role of MMP-2 in the absorption of the temporal bone in human middle ear cholesteatoma. Methods Immunohistochemestry technique (ABC) method was used to detect the expression and location of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in 30 cases of human middle ear cholesteatoma, and 5 eases of middle ear granulation tissue were served as control tissue. Results The expression of MMP-2 were positive in 26 middle ear cholesteatoma. No positive signal could be detected in the inflammatory granulation tissue. Conclusion The results indicate that MMP-2 could play an active role in the molecular mechanisms of cholesteatoma invasion into the temproal bone.