Detection of matrix metalloproteinase gene expression by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in human hepatocellular carcinoma

Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) has been reported to play an important role in the process of tumor development and metastasis through the alterations of cell-cell and/or cell-extracellular matrix interactions. We studied the gene expression of matrix metalloproteinase MMP-2 and MMP-7, and also TIMP-1, one of the inhibitors of metalloproteinase, in the tissue of human hepatocellular carcinoma by using semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. MMP-2 and MMP-7 have been expressed in advanced hepatocellular carcinomas as well as in non-cancerous, chronically diseased liver tissue, and the expression levels of these MMPs in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues were greater than that of non-cancerous tissues. This data suggests that MMP-2 and MMP-7 may be involved in the process of the development, invasion and metastasis of HCCs.