Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 and Its Tissue Inhibitor in the Endometrial-Myometrial Interface of Adenomyosis

Objective: To observe the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-2(TIMP-2) in the endometrial-myometrial interface(EMI) of adenomyosis.Methods: Immunohistochemistry SP method was adopted to determine the expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in EMI of sixty-eight cases of adenomyosis and of fifty-six cases of normal subjects.Results: ①The expression level of MMP-2 was higher in EMI versus outer layer,and higher in adenomyosis group versus control group(both P0.05).②The expression level of TIMP-2 in EMI of adenomyosis group was lower than that of control group(P0.05),but no difference of TIMP-2 expression was found between EMI and outer layer in adenomyosis(P0.05).Conclusion: The high expression of MMP-2 and low expression of TIMP-2 in EMI might play an important role in the pathogenesis of adenomyosis.