[Role of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9 and vascular endothelial growth factor C in lymph node metastasis of breast cancer].

Objective To study the expression of matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)-2,MMP-9 and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)-C in breast cancer and their role in lymph node metastasis.Methods Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of VEGF-C,MMP-2,MMP-9 and LYVE-1 in 84 cases of breast cancer.including 52 cases with and 32 cases without lymph node metastases.The recombinant vector(pSIREN-VEGF-C)was transfected into human breast cancer cell MCF-7 by liposome,and the RNA expression of MMP-2,MMP-9 and VEGF-C in MCF-7 cells after transfection was detected by PCR.Results The expressions of MMP-2,MMP-9 and VEGF-C were 98.1%(51/52),88.5%(46/52),and 94.2%(49/52)respectively for the metastatic group,and 75.0%(24/32),53.1%(17/32),and 65.6%(21/32)respectively for the non metastatic group,and there was significant difference between these groups (P＜0.05).The lymphatic vessel density between these two groups was also significantly different(P＜0.05).Increased expression of MMP-2,MMP-9 and VEGF-C was also associated with increased number of lymphatic vessels had also increased(P＜0.05).The expression of MMP-2,MMP-9 and VEGF-C in MCF-7 cells after gene transfection decreased significantly(P＜0.05).Conclusion MMP-2 and MMP-9 in conjunction with VEGF-C,promote lymphangiogenesis and lymph node metastasis of breast cancer. Key words: Breast neoplasms; Vascular endothelial growth factor C; Marx metalloproteinases; RNA interference