목적 : 마이봄샘기능저하증(meibomian gland dysfunction, MGD)을 수반하는 염증성 건성안의 감별진단에 대한 ‘TNF-α, IL-6, MMP-9’ 검사키트의 유용성을 평가하였다. 방법 : 건성안 이외의 안질환이 없는 20~30대 중 OSDI 설문 검사에 따른 건성안 총 118안을 대상하였고, 결막낭 메니스커스로부터 소량의 눈물을 채취하여 TNF-α, IL-6 및 MMP-9 검사를 하였다. 각막염색과 결막충혈 이 모두 Grade 1 이상인 경우는 염증성 건성안으로, 마이봄샘폐쇄와 마이봄샘구멍막힘이 모두 grade 1 이상인 경우는 MGD 관련 건성안으로 평가하였다. 염증성 건성안 및 MGD와 TNF-α, IL-6, MMP-9과의 상관성은 카 이제곱검정(Chi-square test)으로 분석하였고, ‘TNF-α, IL-6, MMP-9’ 검사키트의 염증성 건성안과 MGD를 수반하는 염증성 건성안 감별능력은 ROC 커브를 이용하여 민감도, 특이도 및 AUC(Area under the curve)를 구하고 정확도를 평가하였다. 결과 : 염증성 건성안은 TNF-α와 IL-6와 유의한 상관성을 보였고(p＜.050), ‘TNF-α, IL-6, MMP-9’ 검사 키트는 MMP-9 검사키트와 80.20%의 높은 일치도를 나타냈으나(p＜.050), 염증성 건성안 감별에 대한 민감도, 특이도, 정확도는 MMP-9 검사키트보다 낮았다. MGD는 MMP-9 검사와 상관성을 보이지 않았고, TNF-α와 IL-6 검사와는 유의한 상관성을 보였으며, MGD 감별에 대한 민감도, 특이도, 정확도는 각각 85.50%, 34.70%, 0.601, 85.50%, 32.70%, 0.591로 나타났다. MGD 수반한 염증성 건성안 감별에 대한 ‘TNF-α, IL-6, MMP-9’ 검사키트의 민감도, 특이도 및 정확도는 100.00%, 34.10%, 0.670로 MMP-9 검사키트보다 더 높았다. 결론 : MGD 진단에는 TNF-α, IL-6 검사가 유용하며, ‘TNF-α, IL-6, MMP-9’ 검사키트는 MGD를 수반한 염증성 건성안 평가에 유용할 것으로 사료된다.

Identification of specific marker proteins in cells is useful for isolating cells and determining their cellular characteristics and functions. Based on our previous study showing that matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) can be used as a marker for porcine spermatogonia, the expression pattern of MMP-9 was determined in both pre- (5-month old) and post-pubertal (11–month old) bovine testes. Histological analysis revealed that spermatogonia were located near the basement membrane in both testes, while spermatozoa were not detected in the 5-month old pre-pubertal bovine testes and epididymides. Mature spermatozoa were observed in the 11-month bovine testes and epididymides, and MMP-9 expression in 11-month old bovine testes was lower than 5-month old testes, according to reverse transcription-PCR and real-time-PCR data. To determine the specific expression sites of MMP-9 in the bovine testes, immunohistochemistry was performed. Expression of MMP-9 was observed in cells near the basement membrane of seminiferous tubules in both 5- and 11-month old testes. Furthermore, MMP-9 positive cells expressed protein gene product 9.5 (PGP9.5) and deleted in azoospermia (DAZL) that are already known as bovine spermatogonial stem cells markers. In the present study, MMP-9 expression was identified in both pre- and post-pubertal bovine spermatogonia expressing PGP9.5 and DAZL, and located near the basement membrane of seminiferous tubules. Thus, MMP-9 can be used as a marker for bovine spermatogonia, and may provide useful platforms for understanding the interaction between germ cells and extracellular matrix during spermatogenesis in the seminiferous tubules.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in tissue development and re-modeling. Dynamic morphological changes of tooth germs reflect involvement of these enzymes during odontogenesis. The present study was performed to investigate expression and localization of MMP-2 and MMP-9, which have been known to have type IV collagenase activities, in rat tooth germs at different developmental stages. MMP-2 expression was increased gradually in the tooth germs from cap to crown staged germs at both transcription and translation levels. The localization of this molecule was detected in secretory ameloblasts and preameloblasts. The strong immunoreactivities were occasionally seen along the basement membrane between ameloblasts (or preameloblasts) and odontoblasts (preodontoblasts). However, weak reactivity was detected in odontoblasts and reduced enamel epithelium. The level of MMP-9 expression in the tooth germs was higher in cap stage than in crown staged germs at both transcription and translation levels. They were strongly expressed in both ameloblasts and odontoblasts. Even though reduced enamel epithelium after enamel formation and inner enamel epithelium at the cap stage exhibited weak reactivity, strong reactivity was detected in dental follicles and perifollicular tissues surrounding cap staged germs. These results suggested that MMP-2 may involve degradation of the basement membrane during hard tissue formation, whereas MMP-9 might be involved in remodeling of follicular tissues.

Metastasis is the primary cause of from breast cancer mortality. Cell migration and invasion play important roles in neoplastic metastasis. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), which degrades the extracellular matrix (ECM), plays an important role in cancer cell invasion. NF-κB is transcription factor important in the regulation of MMP-9, as the promoter of MMP-9 gene contains binding sites for NF-κB. Brazilin, an active component of sappan wood (Caesalpinia sappan), decreases TPA-induced MMP-9 expression and invasion in MCF-7 cells. Also, brazilin suppressed NF-κB activation in TPA-treated MCF-7 cells. Taken together, we demonstrated that the inhibition of TPA-induced MMP-9 expression and cell invasion by brazilin is mediated by the suppression of the NF-κB pathway in MCF-7 cells. This result suggest brazilin provide a potential therapeutic approach for the treatment of breast cancer.

Naringenin은 flavonoid구조의 감귤류 과피에 다량 함유되어 있으며 항암 및 항산화 등의 다양한 생리활성을 가지는 것으로 보고되었다. 이에 본 연구에서는 HT-1080 섬유육종세포의 전이에 대한 영향을 조사하였다. 먼저 Naringenin이 암세포의 이동에 미치는 영향을 알아보기 위해 migrationassay를 한 결과, Naringenin이 암세포의 이동을 농도 의존적으로 억제시켰다. 암의 전이에 있어서 매우 중요한 역할을 하는 단백질분

Matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs) are involved in the degradation of extracellular matrix, which is re lated to infiltrative growth and metastasis of tumor and are regulated by tisslle inhibitor of metalloproteinases(TIMPs) or cell adhesion molecllles such as E-cadherin and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between MMP-2, MMP-9 expressions and clinico-pathologic factors, 끼MP-1 ， TIMP-2, EGFR and E-cadherin expressions. lmmunohistochemical stains were perfom1ed on 55 cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the ordl cavity and the results were as follows. MMP-2 and MMP-9 expressions were noted in 30(54.5%) and 22(40.0%) of 55 cases, TIMP-1 and πMP-2 in 21(38.2%) and 33(60.0%), and E-cadherin and EGFR expressions in 35(63.6%) and 26(47.3%) of 55 cases, respectively. MMP-2 expression rdte was slightly higher 띠 cases without recurrence, and 끼MP- 2 expression rate was slightly higher in cases showing more inftltrative growth pattem. 까1e expression rate of EGFR was higher in cases with well differentiation(p=0.OO47), but no posi디ve relationship between the expression rate of Ecadherin and histologic grade was found. Cases with positive reaction for MMP-9 showed an increasing tendency of nega디ve reaction for TIMP-1. π1e expression rate of MMP-2 was higher in cases with positive reaction for E-cadherin and EGFR with no statistical significance. 까1e expression rate of MMP-9 was significantly higher in cases with positive reaction for E-cadherin(p=0.022l). These results suggest that MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 expressions are involved in the development of oral squamous cell carcinomas, but MMP-2, MMP-9, 끼MP-1 ， and 끼MP-2 expressions might not seem to be a useful prognostic factors because there were no significant relationship between clinicopathologic parameters. EGFR expression showed positive correlation with low histologic grade, so EGFR expression could be regarded as a good prognostic factor. In the progression of sqllamous cell

In the expansion of odontogenic cyst, degradation of extracellular matrix and resorp디on of bone are accompa띠ed ， but its mechanism is under debate. The degrees of inflammation and fibrosis were graded in 39 cases of odontogenic cysts. Cytoplasrnic expressions in various cell types according to them were analyzed using immunohistochemis띠， for MMPs and πMPs. In epithelial cells, MMP-2 expression was increased with marked fibrosis(p=O.018) and in stromal cells, MMP-2,-9 and TIMP-2 expressions were slightly higher in cases with mild inflammation and marked fibrosis. Tendencies of positive correlation were found between MMP-2,-9 and TIMP-2 expressions in epithelial cells and between MMP-l and MMP-9 expressions in stromal cells. These results suggest that MMP-l ,-2 ,-9 and TIMP-2 expression might be related to the expansion of odontogenic cysts, and the expression rate of them was different according to cell types and the degree of inflammation and fibrosis.

MMPs are catalytic enzymes involved in the degradation of extracellular marix, and associated with invasive growth and metastasis of malignant tumors along with angiogenesis. This study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of VEGF expression and microvessel density(MVD) and the relationship between VEGF expression, MVD and MMPs expression in oral squamous cell carcinomas(OSCC). The materials were from 52 cases of OSCC during a period from 1991 to 2001. Clinicopathologic parameters such as clinical stage, recurrence, histologic grade and invasion pattern were evaluated. Immunohistochemical staining for MMP-2, MMP-9, VEGF and CD34 were performed and statistical analyses between clinicopathologic parameters and VEGF expression and MVD were done. MMP-2, MMP-9 and VEGF expressions were noted in 30(57.7%), 21(40.1%) and 38(73.1%) of 52 cases, respectively. MVD was measurable in 35 cases, and cases with increased MVD more than average were 16(45.7%) of 35 cases. There was no significant relationship between clinicopathologic parameters and VEGF expression or MVD in OSCC, which suggests that VEGF expression and MVD can not be regarded as reliable prognostic factors. Cases with less infiltrative growth pattern showed a tendency of increased MVD, which can explain the possibility that neovascularization might be an early event of tumor invasion. Lack of significant relationship between MMPs, VEGF expressions and MVD might be due to limited number of cases, and positive correlation between MMP-2 and VEGF expression suggests that both factors might be involved in the process of angiogenesis in OSCC.

The tremendous changes of uterine endometrium are observed during early pregnancy and protease and their inhibitors are involved in regulation of cell proliferation and remodeling of the tissues through remodeling the extracellular matrix (ECM). Some of the proteases and protease inhibitors have been suspected to a factor in endometrial changes but many parts of their expression profiles and the physiological roles are not uncovered. To evaluate the functional roles of them, in this study the expression profiles of proteases and protease inhibitors were analyzed using real-time quantitative PCR analysis. Mmp9 (matrix metalloproteinase 9) mRNA levels peaked on day 4 at the time of implantation. On the other hand, Ela2 (neutrophil elastase, NE) mRNA levels were peaked on day 2 of pregnancy. Its expression were decreased until day 4 of pregnancy but increased rapidly until day 7 of pregnancy and decreased again. NE inhibitor Slpi (secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor, SLPI) mRNA levels were related with the implantation stage and with the levels of Ela2. At the time of implantation the expression levels of Slpi mRNA were about 5 times higher than the Ela2 mRNA in the uterus. In the implantation stage embryos, Mmp9 specific mRNA was only detected at the blastocyst. On the other hand, the expression level of SLPI was higher than that of the Ela2 mRNA at blastocyst and 4.5 day p.c. embryos. Based on these results it is suggested that MMP9, SLPI, and NE have important physiological role in embryo implantation both in uterus and embryos.

Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.(family Nymphaeaceae) has been used for summer heat syndrome as home remedy in Japan, China and Korea. Although whole plant parts are edible, root is commonly consumed. It has been reported that rhizome extract showed anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory effects. However, in spite of usefulness for treatment of various diseases, the effect of Nelumbo nucifera rhizome(NNR) on proliferation, migration and matrix degrading enzymes-matrix metalloproteinsases(MMPs), the expression of which degrades extracellular matrix(ECM) leading to metastasis, has not been fully elucidated. We examined the effect of hot water extract of NNR on the proliferation, migration and secretion of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in rat smooth muscle cells(rSMC), epidermoid cancer cells(A431) and breast cancer cells(MDA-MB-231). The proliferation assay was carried out using MTT assay, the principle of which depends upon the conversion of MTT by mitochondrial dehydrogensases of viable cells to formazan crystals. The effect of NNR on migration of cells was examined using wound healing assay. Our results showed that there was inhibition in the proliferation, migration and expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in dose dependent fashion in all the cells used. Thus, we concluded that NNR could be used as traditional medicine in the treatment of various diseases where proliferation, migration and MMPs' expression plays a pathological role like in restenosis and metastasis.