Matrilysin (matrix metalloproteinase-7) plays a part in the initiation and growth of
colorectal tumors; expression of this
protein has been implicated in
tumor invasion and
metastasis. To date,
matrilysin expression in
ulcerative colitis (UC)-associated
tumorigenesis has not been studied. The aim of this study was to assess the immunohistochemical expression of
matrilysin at different stages of UC-associated
neoplasia.
Paraffin-embedded specimens from 25 patients with UC without dysplasia, UC-related low-grade dysplasia (LGD) and high-grade dysplasia (HGD), and UC-associated
carcinoma as well as four colon biopsy samples with no abnormality were examined using an anti-human
matrilysin monoclonal antibody and standard immunoperoxidase techniques.
Matrilysin expression was recorded as the number of positive cases and the percentage of positive crypts as follows: normal: none of four; negative results for dysplasia: seven of 12 (< 10%); LGD: nine of 15 (< 10%); HGD: nine of 13 (11-50%); and invasive
carcinoma: six of seven (> 50%). The results indicated an apparent switch from focal expression of
matrilysin in UC-related low-grade dysplasia to widespread expression in high-grade dysplasia and invasive
cancer, mimicking the pattern of expression in sporadic
colorectal cancer. Although the sample size is small and further investigation therefore is required, the results suggest the possible role of anti-
matrix metalloproteinase therapy in reducing the risk of progression from LGD to
cancer in patients with
ulcerative colitis. Published 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.