Expression Of TIMP-3 Gene And Its Promoter Methylation In Human Transitional Cell Carcinoma Of Bladder

Expressions of MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-3 in human transitional cell carcinoma of bladder and their clinical significanceObjective: To investigate the expressions of MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-3 in human transitional cell carcinoma of bladder and discuss their clinical significance.Materials and Methods: Using a method of immunohistochemical stains and a HMIAS-2000 analysis system, the expressions of MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-3 were analyzed in human samples from 35 cases of bladder carcinoma (tumor group), 10 cases of normal bladder (control group).Results: MMP-2 and MMP-9 were highly expressed in tumor samples and their expression rates were increased with grades and stages. TIMP-3 was also highly expressed in tumor samples and its expression rates was increased with grades too but not with stages.Conclusion: These results suggest that MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-3 play an important role in the invasion step of transitional cell carcinoma of bladder. Detection the expressions of them may become a new mean for the diagnosis of urothelial carcinomas. Study of promoter methylation of TIMP-3 gene inhuman transitional cell carcinoma of bladderObjective: To detect aberrant promoter methylation of the gene by tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 3(TIMP-3) and to discuss the function of TIMP-3 and its clinical significance in tumor.Materials and Methods: TIMP-3 gene promoter methylation was detected by methylation-specific PCR (MSP) in human samples from 35 cases of bladder carcinoma (tumor group), 10 cases of normal bladder (control group).Results: Only 2 out 35 (5.7%) cases had TIMP-3 methylation, the cases with promoter methylation have low expression rates of TIMP-3.Conclusion: The promoter hypermethylation of TIMP-3 is rare in bladder cancer. Detection the expression of TIMP-3 may become a prognostic marker of transitional cell carcinoma of bladder.