Expression and Potential Role of MMP-9 in Intrauterine Adhesion

Abstract Background: Intrauterine adhesions will affect the amount of menstrual and fertility, endometrial fibrosis is the last manifestation of the IUA. MMP-9 is closely related to fibrosis. The purpose of the study was to assess the role of MMP-9 in intrauterine adhesion (IUA) rats and patients. Methods: 40 female rats and 24 patients were enrolled in this study. We used immunohistochemistry to detect the MMP-9 expression in rats and human endometrial tissues, as well as detected their protein levels with western blot. In addition, we detected their mRNA expression levels with qRT-PCR. Results: The expression of MMP-9 in the IUA rats was reduced compared with the Sham group and Ctrl group (P< 0.05), and the expression of MMP-9 was also reduced in the IUA patients compared with the Ctrl group (P< 0.05). The mRNA levels of MMP-9 in endometrium were presenting similar results (P< 0.05). Conclusions: Our study suggests that MMP-9 may play an important role in fibrosis of the IUA. It may provide a new reference for the treatment of IUA in the future.