| Research Abstract |
Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-7, matrilysin, has been implicated in tumor invasion and metastasis as well as tumor initiation or growth. In previous reports, relation of matrix metalloproteinases and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis was investigated. However, matrix metalloproteinases in inflammatory bowel disease are not investigated in detail. In this study, several kinds of MMPs and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMP) were immunohistochemically analyzed in, especially, ulcerative colitis. MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were not remarkably up/down regulated in inflammatory region of ulcerative colitis using both biopsied specimens or surgically resected specimens. Interestingly, matrilysin (MMP-7) was detected in the epithelial cells near ulceration in severe ulcerative colitis. However, inflammatory region of mild to moderate epithelia did not show matrilysin expression. These results suggest that the role of matrilysin might be involved in repair process after inflammation in ulcerative colitis.
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