Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and 14 in endometriosis

Objective To study the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and matrix metalloproteinase-14 in endometriosis. Methods The expression of MMP-9 and MMP-14 in normal and ectopic endometrium was detected by the method of in situ hybridization. Results (1) MMP-14 were not detected in normal endometrium and it is only 20.0% positive rate in ectopic endometrium in endometriosis (P 0.05). (2) MMP-9 were only detected in normal proliferate phase endometrium, and the positive rate was 6.9%, and it is 43.3% positive rate in ectopic endometrium in endometriosis (P 0.01). Conclusion (1) MMP-14 may express in ectopic endometrium and its positive rate was low, while MMP-9 also express in ectopic endometrium in high positive rate. (2) They may participate in the process of invasion and tissue remodeling that is hypothesized to occur in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. But there isn't correlation between the expression of MMP-9 and MMP-14 in endometriosis.