Expressions and Significance of Extracellular Matrix Metalloproteinase Inducer and Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 in Human Brain Astrocytoma

Objective To investigate the expressions and significance of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMP RIN) and matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9) in human brain astrocytoma. Method The expressions of EMMPRIN and MMP-9 were detected by immunohistochemistrical technique (S-P) in 49 specimens of astrocytomas,11 specimens of meningomas and 7 specimens of normal human brain tissues. Results The expressions of EMMPRIN and MMP-9 were significant higher in the astrocytomas of grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ than those in the astrocytomas of grades Ⅰ-Ⅱ (P0.01), in which the expressions of EMMPRIN and MMP-9 were significant higher than those in the meningomas, in which the expressions of EMMPRIN and MMP-9 were significant higher than those in the normal human brain tissues (P0.01). There was a significantly positive correlation (r=0.378, P0.01) between the expressions of EMMP RIN and MMP-9. Conclusion The expressions of EMMPRIN and MMP-9 are important biological markers reflecting the invasiveness and prognosis of human brain astrocytoma. They may exert mutual effects and co-regulate the invasive growth of human brain astrocy-toma.