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Activity of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in canine oronasal tumors.

Nakaichi M, Yunuki T, Okuda M, Une S, Taura Y

Department of Veterinary Surgery, Faculty of Agriculture, Yamaguchi University, 1677-1 Ooaza Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan. nakaichi@yamaguchi-u.ac.jp

Activity of matrix metalloprotease-2 (MMP-2) and the expression of its related molecules were examined in spontaneous canine oronasal tumors. Tissue samples from melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma possessed higher MMP-2 activity, as shown in gelatin zymography, in comparison with acanthomatous epulis and nasal adenocarcinoma. Regional lymph node invasion and distant metastases were more frequently observed in the MMP-2 positive cases. There were no significant differences by RT-PCR examination in the expression of the genes encoding MMP-2, MT1-MMP and TIMP-2 among the tumor histological types. However, the MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio showed a significantly higher level of the genes in the malignant oral melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma. The MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio was also positively correlated with MMP-2 activity in gelatin zymography. These results indicate that the MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio may be of value in evaluating the prognosis in canine oronasal cavity tumors.

Published 9 February 2007 in Res Vet Sci, 82(2): 271-9.
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