The Expression And Significance Of MMP-2,MMP-14,TIMP-2 During Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

Objective:To investigate the expression of matrix metalloproteinases-2 (MMP-2),matrix metalloproteinases-14 (MMP-14),and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2) in nucleus pulposus (NP) during degenerated and normal lumbar intervertebral discs. Analysis the correlations between the expression of MMP-2,MMP-14,TIMP-2 and the degeneration stages of intervertebral discs.Study their contribution and significance in the process of degeneration.Methods:The tissues of the degenerated NP were obtained from 36 Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) patients (21males,15 females) surgeried in the Orthopaedics two Department of Fujian Provincial Hospital from July 2008 to April 2009. As the control group, normal lumbar discs were obtained from 20 Lumber Vertebrae Fracture or idiopathic scoliosises patients (11males,9 females), the expression of MMP-2,MMP-14 and TIMP-2 was quantified by immunohistochemical staining method and the difference between degenerated and control NP were compared by chi-square test . the correlation of MMP-2,MMP-14 and TIMP-2 with degeneration grade according to the Thompson score were analyzed by spearman test.Results:Positive staining rate of MMP-2 and MMP-14 in degenerated NP were markedly higher than that in control NP(83.3% vs. 30% and 75% vs. 15%, respectively, both P<0.001), while no significant difference of TIMP-2 was observed(91.6% vs. 80%, P>0.05). A positive correlation was observed between the degeneration grade and the expression of MMP-2,MMP-14 and TIMP-2 (rs=0.710, rs=0.617 and rs=0.406,respectively). Moreover, the production of MMP-2 correlated positively with MMP-14 and TIMP-2 (rs=0.665 and rs=0.516, respectively).Conclusion:1,The higher expression of MMP-2, MMP-14 in the degenerated NP indicated that MMP-2, MMP-14 was closely associated with the degenerative process of intervertebral disc (IVD).2,The positive correlation between the expression of MMP-2, MMP-14,TIMP-2 and degeneration grade indicated that MMP-2, MMP-14,TIMP-2 are important factors for intervertebral disc (IVD).3,The positive correlation of the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-14,TIMP -2 indicated that mmp-2 play a important role in the intervertebral disc degeneration maybe related to MMP-14 and TIMP-2.