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Updated: Aug 25, 2026

Modeling Spontaneous Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma (mRCC) in Mice Following Nephrectomy
Published on: April 29, 2014
[Relationship between expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and angiogenesis in renal cell carcinoma]
Yao Zhang1, Xiao-Hou Wu, Gui-Hua Cao
1Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing University of Medicine Sciences, Chongqing, 400016, PR China.
Background & Objective:
Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is closely related to tumor invasion and metastasis. It has been recently found that MMP-9 also plays a role in tumor angiogenesis. This study was designed to investigate the relationship between MMP-9 and angiogenesis in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and its clinical significance.
Methods:
SP immunohistochemistry was used to determine the expression of MMP-9, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and microvessel density (MVD) in 78 RCC tissues.
Results:
The expression of MMP-9 was related to the pathological stage and the histological grade in RCC (P< 0.05). The MVD value in MMP-9-positive group (110.46+/-50.16) was much higher than that in MMP-9-negative group (84.77+/-44.52)(P< 0.05). There was a positive correlation between the intensity of the expression of MMP-9 and that of VEGF in RCC tissues (r=0.4096,P< 0.01). MMP-9 and VEGF took synergistic effect on angiogenesis in RCC.
Conclusion:
MMP-9 is associated with angiogenesis in RCC, and can serve as a biomarker for the potentialities of invasion and metastasis of RCC.
Insights
Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) promotes tumor angiogenesis in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). MMP-9 expression correlates with tumor stage and grade, indicating its role in RCC progression and metastasis potential.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Pathology
Context:
- Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is implicated in tumor invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis.
- Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a significant malignancy where understanding tumor growth mechanisms is crucial.
Purpose:
- To investigate the relationship between MMP-9 expression and angiogenesis in RCC.
- To determine the clinical significance of MMP-9 in RCC progression.
Summary:
- SP immunohistochemistry analyzed MMP-9, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and microvessel density (MVD) in 78 RCC tissues.
- MMP-9 expression correlated with RCC pathological stage and histological grade (P<0.05).
- MMP-9-positive tissues exhibited significantly higher MVD (110.46±50.16) compared to MMP-9-negative tissues (84.77±44.52) (P<0.05).
- A positive correlation was found between MMP-9 and VEGF expression intensity (r=0.4096, P<0.01).
- MMP-9 and VEGF demonstrated a synergistic effect on angiogenesis in RCC.
Impact:
- MMP-9 is significantly associated with angiogenesis in RCC.
- MMP-9 can serve as a potential biomarker for predicting RCC invasion and metastasis.
- Findings contribute to understanding RCC pathogenesis and identifying therapeutic targets.
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