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MMP‐9 expression increases according to the grade of squamous intraepithelial lesion in cervical smears
Author(s) -
Matheus Erika R.,
Zonta Marco A.,
Discacciati Michelle G.,
Paruci Priscila,
Velame Fernanda,
Cardeal Laura B.S.,
Barros Silvia B.M.,
Pignatari Antonio C.,
MariaEngler Silvya S.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
diagnostic cytopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.417
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1097-0339
pISSN - 8755-1039
DOI - 10.1002/dc.23124
Subject(s) - medicine , squamous intraepithelial lesion , cervical intraepithelial neoplasia , pathology , lesion , intraepithelial neoplasia , immunocytochemistry , matrix metalloproteinase , cervical cancer , cancer , prostate
Studies about cervical carcinogenesis have demonstrated the increased expression of matrix‐metalloproteinase (MMP) according to the grade of cervical intraepithelial lesions. Considering the importance of innovative techniques to introduce noninvasive and rapid diagnoses for patients, this study aimed to perform MMP‐9 immunocytochemistry in cervical smears according to the cytopathological diagnoses, in order to monitor MMP activity in cervical smears. This cross‐sectional study investigated the expression of MMP‐9 in normal cervical smears, inflammatory cervical smears, squamous intraepithelial lesions, and cervical carcinoma. Cervical smears from 630 women were collected for cytopathological diagnoses and immunocytochemistry. Women with squamous intraepithelial lesions showed an increase in MMP‐9 expression, with moderate to intense staining occurring with increasing cervical lesion grade. The prevalence of moderate to intense MMP‐9 staining was 9% in normal cervical smears, 12% in cervical inflammation, 24% in low‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), 92% in high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) and 100% in cervical carcinoma cases. In the specific case of LSIL, we found that association with MMP‐9 is more evident when there is the simultaneous presence of an infectious agent. Thus, the expression of MMP‐9 in cervical smears increases according to the grade of cervical lesion and LSIL in the presence of infectious agents showed higher MMP‐9 expression than women with LSIL without infectious agents. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2014;42:827–833. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.