The Expression Of MMP-9, TIMP-1 And VEGF In Retinoblastoma And Its Clinical Significance

Objective: To investigate the expression of matrixmetalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in retinoblastoma(RB) and the relationship with the differentiation and optic nerve infiltration.Methods: The expression of MMP-9, TIMP-1 and VEGF was examined in 32 cases of Rb tissue by using PV6000 immunohistochemical method.Results: The positive rates of MMP-9 and VEGF were 56. 25% and 68.75 % respectively, and all the expression were significantly related to the differentiation degree (P=0.0377,0.0184;P<0.05) and nerve infiltration (P=0.0321,0.0453;P<0.05). The expression positive rate of TIMP-1 was 18.75%, and not correlated with the differentiation degree and nerve infiltration (P=1.000,1.000;P>0.05). The positive rate of MMP-9 was higher than that of TIMP-1 in 32 cases of RB (x~2=9.6,P<0.01). The expression of MMP-9 was positively associated with the expression of VEGF in RB (P =0.0411,P<0.05). The expression of TIMP-1 was not relationship with the expression of MMP-9 and VEGF in RB (P=0.6722,0.3543;P> 0. 05).Conclusions: Determining MMP-9 and VEGF play important role in evaluating the histological characteristics and biological behavior of Rb. MMP-9 may activate VEGF, and promote the tumor angiogenesis of RB by up-regulating the expression of VEGF.