Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Studying TGF-β Signaling and TGF-β-induced Epithelial-to-mesenchymal Transition in Breast Cancer and Normal Cells
Published on: October 27, 2020
MMPs, TIMP-2, and TGF-beta1 in the cancerization of oral lichen planus
Yu Chen1, Weiping Zhang, Ning Geng
1Department of Oral Pathology, West China College of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
Background:
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) are important in many physiological and pathological processes.
Methods:
Immunohistochemistry for MMP-2, MMP-9, membrane-type 1 MMP (MT1-MMP, MMP-14), tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP)-2, and TGF-beta were performed on normal mucosa, nonatrophic oral lichen planus, atrophic oral lichen planus, and oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) resulting from lichen planus.
Results:
Expression of MMPs progressively increased from normal mucosa to nonatrophic oral lichen planus, atrophic oral lichen planus, and OSCCs. Immunoscores of MMPs in atrophic oral lichen planus was significantly greater than nonatrophic oral lichen planus. Moreover, immunoscore of MMP-9 of OSCCs was significantly greater than both atrophic and nonatrophic lichen planus. Furthermore, expression of TIMP-2 and TGF-beta1 paralleled increases seen with MMPs.
Conclusions:
Imbalance between MMPs and TIMPs may be involved in cancerization of oral lichen planus. MMP-2, MT1-MMP, and especially MMP-9 may be useful markers for judging potency of malignant transformation from oral lichen planus.
Related Concept Videos
The Tumor Microenvironment
Role of Matrix Metalloproteases in Degradation of ECM
A...
TGF - β Signaling Pathway
Abnormal Proliferation