Immunohistochemical expression of cathepsin D and matrix metalloproteinase-9 in common epidermal tumors

Abstract

BackgroundCathepsin D and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) are proteolytic enzymes that degrade connective tissue in the extracellular matrix and play a major role in the destruction of the basement membrane. Objective To explore immunohistochemical expression of cathepsin D and MMP-9 in basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and seborrheic keratosis (SK). Patients and methodsThis retrospective study included 45 patients classified into the following groups: group I, 15 patients with SK; group II, 15 patients with BCC; group III, 15 patients with SCC; and group IV, control group, which included 10 age-matched and sex-matched individuals with normal healthy skin. All participants were subjected to hematoxylin and eosin stain and immunohistochemical staining for cathepsin D and MMP-9. ResultsA statistically significant increase in the intensity of expression of cathepsin D and MPP-9 in the SCC, BCC, and SKs was found in the patient groups than the control group. The expression of both markers was significantly higher in SCC than in BCC and SK. The expression of both markers was significantly higher in BCC with a high risk of recurrence than in those with a low risk of recurrence, and was significantly positively correlated with advancement in histological grade in SCC. ConclusionThe cytoplasmic expressions of cathepsin D and MMP-9 were prominent in stromal and epithelial cells of SCC than in BCC and SK. This pointed to the capability of SCC of invasion as well as metastatic potentiality than in BCC and SK.

Immunohistochemical Expression of Cathepsin K in Epidermal Tumors.

“…The expression levels of cathepsin K in SCC cases significantly correlated with the tumor grade (p=0.01). Hassan et al [20] who studied the expression of another member of the cathepsin family (cathepsin D) in epidermal tumors including SCC demonstrated significant positive correlation between the expression levels and the advancement in the histological grade of SCC. This provides strong evidence that cathepsins can be used a useful predictors for invasiveness.…”