Relationship between the expression of matrix metalloproteinases and invasion and metastasis of hepatocellular cancer

To investigate the dynamic alteration of the latent and activated forms of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in rat liver tissue during experimental hepatocarcinoma and the effects of matrix metalloproteinase on the growth and invasion and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma and its mechanisms. Immunohistochemistry was used for defection of MMP-2 and MMP-9 protein during the developmen of diethylnitrosamine-induced rat hepatocacinoma. The expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was analyzed with image analyzing. Tumor cells emboli in porta vein were marker for matastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma. MMP-2 and MMP-9 were expressed in carcinoma and tissue close to tumor, and the former expressed higher than the later(P<0.01); Content of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in tumors was higher if hapatocellular carcinoma matastasised or transferred. In our groups, MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression in matastasised tissues was significantly higher than that in non-matastasised tissues(P<0.01).