The role of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 during rat tongue carcinogenesis induced by 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide

Author(s)

Cuzzuol Fracalossi, Ana Carolina ^[1] ; Miranda, Sandra Regina ^[1] ; Fujiyama Oshima, Celina Tijuko ^[1] ; Franco, Marcello ^[1] ; Ribeiro, Daniel Araki ^{[1, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Pathol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Biosci, BR-11060001 Santos, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Molecular Histology; v. 41, n. 1, p. 19-25, FEB 2010.
• Web of Science Citations: 17

Abstract

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are implicated in a wide range of physiological and pathological processes, including morphogenesis, wound healing, angiogenesis, inflammation, and cancer. The purpose of this study was to characterize the role of MMPs as depicted by the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 during 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide-induced rat tongue carcinogenesis. Male Wistar rats were distributed into three groups of 10 animals each and treated with 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide solution at 50 ppm through their drinking water for 4, 12, and 20 weeks. Ten animals were used as control group. No histopathological abnormalities were induced in the epithelium after 4 weeks of carcinogen exposure; however, immunoexpression of MMP-2 was noticed. The same picture occurred to MMP-9, in which positive expression was detected for this immunomarker. MMP-2 and MMP-9 showed positive expression either in pre-neoplastic lesions at 12 weeks following carcinogen exposure or in well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma induced after 20 weeks of treatment with 4NQO. Taken together, our results support the belief that MMP-2 and MMP-9 play important role during malignant transformation and conversion of oral mucosa as assessed by immunohistochemistry. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 07/01228-4 - Medium-term oral carcinogenesis assay induced by 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide in rats: putative biomarkers involved into its pathogenesis
• Grantee: Daniel Araki Ribeiro
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 07/08210-3 - Medium-term oral carcinogenesis assay induced by 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide in rats: putative biomarkers involved into its pathogenesis
• Grantee: Ana Carolina Cuzzuol Fracalossi
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate