Expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-3 in endometrium from women with endometriosis

To evaluate the expression and localization of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs)in the ectopic and eutopic endometrium from women with and without endometriosis. Thereby to determine this role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. The expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-3 protein on paraffin-embedded tissues was detected by immunohistochemical analysis- LSAB and image analysis.The study included endometriotic tissues (n=26) and matched eutopic endometrium (n=15) of patients with endometriosis and eutopic endometrium of normal menstruating women without endometriosis (n=20). The varient expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-3 was detected in both eutopic and ectopic endometrium. Ectopic tissues showed statistically stronger MMP-9 and weaker TIMP-3, compared with the eutopic endometrium from normal and endometriosis patients (P<0.05). However, there was no difference in the expression between the eutopic endometrium of women with endometriosis and the normal controls. The result suggest tht ectopic endometrium may be more invasive and lead to endometriosis. MMPs and TIMPs play an important role in the pathogenesis of the disease.