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Updated: Jun 1, 2026

Heterogeneity Mapping of Protein Expression in Tumors using Quantitative Immunofluorescence
Published on: October 25, 2011
Heterogeneity of metalloproteinase expression in colorectal cancer - relation of molecular findings to basic
Yoshiki Kajiwara1, Hideki Ueno, Yojiro Hashiguchi
1Department of Surgery, National Defense Medical College, Saitama, Japan. kaji@jd5.so-net.ne.jp
Aim:
To clarify the correlation between morphological features and the mRNA expression of a disintegrin and metalloproteinases (ADAMs) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in colorectal cancer.
Materials And Methods:
In 29 colorectal tumors, cancer cells were isolated by laser microdissection, and the mRNA expression of metalloproteinases was compared between the tumor center and the invasive front.
Results:
Regarding the central region as the standard, the mRNA levels of ADAM-12, MMP-1, -2, -7, and -9 at the invasive front were up-regulated. The degree of up-regulation was significantly higher in solid cancer nest (SCN)-positive tumors than in SCN-negative tumors for the mRNA levels of ADAM-12, MMP-2, -7, and - 9 (SCN-positive, median 5.1-, 3.9-, 9.9-, and 2.7-fold; SCN-negative 2.0-, 1.0-, 2.4-, and 0.8-fold; p<0.05, respectively).
Conclusion:
Up-regulation of the mRNA expression of particular metalloproteinases was significantly associated with the SCN at the leading edge of colorectal tumors.
