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Long-term Intravital Immunofluorescence Imaging of Tissue Matrix Components with Epifluorescence and Two-photon Microscopy
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Expression of matrix metalloproteinase and its tissue inhibitor in haemangioma

Shan Zhong1, Guohua Yang, Cong Xia

  • 1Basic Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China. zhongshan@whu.edu.cn

Journal of Huazhong University of Science and Technology. Medical Sciences = Hua Zhong Ke Ji Da Xue Xue Bao. Yi Xue Ying De Wen Ban = Huazhong Keji Daxue Xuebao. Yixue Yingdewen Ban
|October 13, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Matrix metalloproteinases-2 (MMP-2) promotes haemangioma cell proliferation, while tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2) inhibits it. These proteins are key to haemangioma development and degeneration.

Area of Science:

  • Vascular biology
  • Oncology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Haemangiomas are benign vascular tumors with distinct proliferative and degenerative phases.
  • The roles of matrix metalloproteinases-2 (MMP-2) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2) in haemangioma pathogenesis are not fully elucidated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression and action mechanisms of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in different phases of cutaneous capillary haemangioma.
  • To determine the cellular origin of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 expression in haemangioma tissues.

Main Methods:

  • Immunohistochemistry was used to detect MMP-2 and TIMP-2 expression in 50 haemangioma specimens and normal skin.
  • Samples were classified into proliferative and degenerative phases using Mulliken criteria and PCNA expression.
  • Factor VIII-related antigen confirmed vascular endothelial cell expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-2.
  • Quantitative analysis of protein expression was performed using an image analysis system.

Main Results:

  • MMP-2 expression was significantly higher in the proliferative phase compared to the degenerative and normal skin groups.
  • TIMP-2 expression was significantly lower in the proliferative phase than in the degenerative and normal skin groups.
  • MMP-2 and TIMP-2 were localized to vascular endothelial cells in haemangioma tissues.

Conclusions:

  • MMP-2 promotes endothelial cell over-proliferation during the proliferative phase of haemangioma.
  • TIMP-2 inhibits endothelial cell proliferation during the degenerative phase of haemangioma.
  • MMP-2 and TIMP-2 play critical roles in the genesis, development, and degeneration of haemangiomas.

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