Expression and significance of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and PTEN in human brain astrocytoma

Objective To investigate the expressions of MMP-2 and the tumor suppressor genes PTEN in human brain astrocytoma and their relationships between the expressions and tumor invasion.Methods The expressions of MMP-2 and phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten(PTEN) protein were examined by immunohistochemistry(SABC method) in 50 human brain astrocytoma tissues and 10 nomal brain tissues,and their relationships of clinicopathological factors of human brain astrocytoma were analyzed.Results The expression rates of MMP-2 and PTEN had significantly difference between low grade human brain astrocytoma tissues and high human brain astrocytoma tissues.In nomal brain tissues(P0.01),as the tumor's malignancy degree increased,the expression of MMP-2 increased but the expression of PTEN decreased.The expression of MMP-2 was negatively correlation with the expression of PTEN in hunman brain astrocytoma(Rs=-0.518,P0.01).Conclusions MMP-2 and PTEN are potential markers for differentiation and metastasis of human brain astrocytoma.Combined detection of MMP-2 and PTEN can estimate the biological behaviour and pathological grade.