Immunohistochemical expression and significance of MMP-7,MMP-9,MMP-13 and TIMP-1 in osteoarthritis

[Objective]To investigate the relationship between degeneration of cartilage and the expressions of Matrix Metalloproteinase 7(MMP-7),Matrix Metalloproteinase 9(MMP-9),Matrix Metalloproteinase 13(MMP-13)and Tissue Inhibitor of Matrix Metalloproteinase 1(TIMP-1)in osteoarthritis.[Method]The histological changes of cartilages by hematoxyllin-eosin staining and immunohistochemical expression of Matrix Metalloproteinase 7(MMP-7),Matrix Metalloproteinase 9(MMP-9),Matrix Metalloproteinase 13(MMP-13)and Tissue Inhibitor of Matrix Metalloproteinase 1(TIMP-1)in osteoarthritis.were studied in 20 osteoarthritis cases and 2 normal controls.All data were statistically analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test and correlation analysis.[Result]The osteoarthritis cartilage underwent fibroplasias and tearing.The quantity of chondrocyte increased and the clustered and hypertrophic cells came into being.Little immunostaining of MMP-7 and MMP-13 was observed in normal cartilage,while their expressions increased in degenerated cartilage(P0.01).Expression of RMP-gand TIMP-1 was the same in normal cartilage(P0.05),superficial layer of the moderate and end-stage osteoarthritis.However,it significantly increased in deep layer(P0.01).[Conclusion]The abnormal expression of MMP-7,MMP-9,MMP-13 and TIMP-1 was likely to be the pathogenesis of cartilage degeneration.