Overexpression of TACE and TIMP3 mRNA in head and neck cancer: association with tumour development and progression.

ABSTRACT:

Background

TACE/ADAM17 is a transmembranous protease that cleaves membrane-bound growth factors like EGFR ligands. TACE-dependent proteolysis is regulated by its inhibitor, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 3 (TIMP3). This study analyses the role of TACE and TIMP3 mRNA expression in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (HNSCCs).

Methods

We analysed TACE and TIMP3 mRNA expression in HNSCCs from 106 patients by RNA in situ hybridisation.

Results

TACE mRNA was upregulated in HNSCCs compared with dysplastic (P<0.05) and normal epithelia (P<0.001), with strong hybridisation signals in 21.9% of invasive tumour tissues and 4.5% of dysplasia. Elevated mRNA levels were accompanied by increased amounts of TACE protein in HNSCCs. TIMP3 mRNA expression in HNSCC-asso

SUBMITTER: Kornfeld JW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3039790 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature