Diagnostic value of matrix metalloproteinase 9 and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases 1 in cholesteatoma

Objectives: Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), able to degrade type IV collagen, plays a key role in inflammatory cell migration as well as in the destructive behaviour of cholesteatoma. The aim of our study was to compare the expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in cholesteatoma tissue and in the concentrations in serum and plasma concentrations. Material and Methods: Twenty five adult patients suffering from cholesteatoma (a study group) were included in the study. A comparison group consisted of 25 adult patients admitted to hospital due to nasal septum deviation. MM-9 and TIMP-1 serum and plasma concentrations as well as proteins’ expressions in cholesteatoma tissues (study group) and normal retroauricular skin specimens (control group) were evaluated. MMP-9 and TIMP-1 concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cholesteatoma tissues and normal retroauricular skin specimens were evaluated immunohistochemically. Results: In the study and comparison groups, MMP9 and TIMP-1 concentrations were similar with no significant difference within the groups. In cholesteatoma tissues, the expression of the investigated enzyme and its inhibitor was higher than in normal skin specimens, limited mostly to cholesteatoma perimatrix. Conclusion: Cholesteatoma may be limited to the middle ear or parts of the temporal bones. Our findings suggest better clinical usefulness of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 expression in cholesteatoma tissues than either serum or plasma levels of these proteins. It might suggest that the higher the expression of MMP-9 the stronger the inflammation -accompanied cholesteatoma

Expression and Concentration of Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 and Tissue Inhibitor of Matrix Metalloproteinases 1 in Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

The aim of this study was to assess the expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in cancerous tissue as well as in the serum and plasma concentrations of these proteins in patients with laryngeal cancer and compare the results to the inflammatory reaction in healthy subjects. Twenty-seven patients who were diagnosed with laryngeal carcinoma and selected for total laryngectomy were included in the study group. MMP-9 and TIMP-1 expression in tissues was assessed using immunohistochemical assays. Immunoenzymatic ELISA methods were used to measure MMP-9 and TIMP-1 concentrations in serum and plasma. MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were identified in tumor cells and in the tumor stroma compartment, as well as in macroscopically healthy mucous membrane. MMP-9 expression was more significant in tumor stroma than in the perimatrix of the mucous membrane (p=0.047). TIMP-1 expression was significantly higher in the matrix and perimatrix of the mucous membrane than in cancer tissue (p=0.0093) and the tumor stroma compartment (p<0.0001). Expression of TIMP-1 was observed more frequently in tumors without infiltrated lymph nodes (p=0.009). Serum concentrations of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 as well as plasma TIMP-1 concentration were significantly higher in the study group than in the control group (p=0.0004, p=0.002, and p=0.0001, respectively). A significantly higher TIMP-1 level in plasma was found in patients with poorly differentiated tumors compared to G1 and G2 (p=0.046). MMP-9/TIMP-1 rate in serum was significantly higher in the study group than in the control group. The balance between the level of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 is disrupted in laryngeal cancer. The significant correlation between TIMP-1 expression and the presence of lymph node metastases, as well as that between TIMP-1 plasma concentration and stage of cancer histological differentiation, might indicate the importance of this molecule as a prognostic factor during carcinogenesis