Studies on the expression of MMP-9 and significance of a macrophage assay in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To investigate the significance and relationship between matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) and infiltration of macrophages in the process of invasion and metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). METHODS The immunohistochemical SABC method was used to detect the expression of MMP-9 and CD68 (for labeling macrophages) in 42 cases of OSCC and in 10 normal tissues. RESULTS The expression of MMP-9 and macrophage counts in the OSCC cases were significantly higher compared to normal tissues (P<0.05). The expression of MMP-9 and macrophage counts were related to lymphnode metastasis and the TNM stage (P<0.05), showing that there was a positive correlation among these parameters (γ = 0.443, P<0.01). CONCLUSION Both MMP-9 and macrophages may play an important role in the process of invasion and metastasis in OSCC, and this cellular activity may relate to the macrophages which affect the tumor cells and upregulate the expression of MMP-9.

Association between immunohistochemical expression of matrix metalloproteinases and metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma: Systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Of these, 118 full‐text studies were assessed, of which 68 did not meet the inclusion criteria (Appendix 2). Therefore, 50 analytical cross‐sectional studies were included in the qualitative synthesis and 15 in the quantitative synthesis (Figure ).…”

“…Percentage of positive cells was the most used method, with further categorization using different cutoff values. Analyses were performed in tumor cells alone (tumor), tumor and stromal cells separately (tumor/stroma), and tumor and stroma simultaneously (tumor+stroma) . Detailed information regarding the main features, and findings of the included studies are presented in Table .…”

“…Eight studies were classified as “low RoB,” 34 as “moderate RoB,” and eight as “high RoB” (Appendix 3). The domains related to confounders were often judged as “high RoB” mostly due to the absence of the identification and adjustment for these factors (eg, clinical stage/TNM, pattern, and depth of invasion).…”

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“…Intensity staining for MMP 9 was divided into 3 criteria: 4,6  Lower score -1  Medium score -2  High score -3…”

“…They are responsible for tissue remodeling, degradation of ECM, which includes type IV collagen, gelatine, fibronectin important part of the basement membrane 4 . Till now 24 MMPs are identified, out of which 23 are found in humans.…”