Expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, MMP-14, TIMP-1, TIMP-2 in Intraepithelial and Invasive Cervical Neoplasia

Aim: To evaluate the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, MMP-14, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 (CIN 3) and invasive squamous cell carcinoma. Methods and Results: This study comprised three groups: Group 1: 55 cases with CIN 3; Group 2: 30 cases with CIN 3 and invasive carcinoma components; Group 3: 46 cases with invasive carcinoma. Protein expression was investigated in tumor and stromal cells by immunohistochemistry and percentages of immunostained cells were determined. The mean percentage of MMP-14 tumor cells was significantly higher in stromal cells in all groups. TIMP-2 and MMP-9 expression was significantly higher in stromal cells than in tumor cells. TIMP-1 had a significantly higher expression in stromal cells of carcinoma and tumor cells of CIN 3. Stromal cells expression of MMP-2, MMP- 14, TIMP-1 was increased with the severity of cervical neoplasia. The expression of MMP-2 in stromal cells that was higher in CIN 3 component of Group 2 than in CIN 3 of Group 1. Conclusions: The increase in MMP-2 expression from CIN 3 to invasive cervical cancer reinforces their role in cervical cancer progression. From CIN 3 to invasive cervical carcinoma, TIMP-1 expression increased in stromal cells and decreased in tumor cells.