Human Macrophage Metalloelastase Correlates with Angiogenesis and Prognosis of Gastric Carcinoma

The function of human macrophage metalloelastase (HME) also known as matrix metalloproteinase 12, in tumorigenesis is contradictory. The current study was designed to investigate the association of HME expression with angiogenesis and prognosis of gastric carcinomas.

In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry were used to detect HME in human gastric carcinomas, chronic gastritis with atypical hyperplasia, and normal gastric epithelium mucosa. The results were further confirmed by RT-PCR or semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting in gastric carcinomas and paired noncancerous tissues. VEGF and microvessel density count were also detected by immunohistochemical staining in all carcinoma tissues. The prognostic significance of HME was assessed with multiple linear regression analysis and Cox proportional hazards model.

High expression of HME protein/mRNA was observed in gastric carcinomas and atypical hyperplasia tissues compared with normal gastric epithelium mucosa, or paired noncancerous tissues. HME protein/mRNA were negatively correlated with MVD (p < 0.01), VEGF (p < 0.01), tumor differentiation grade (p < 0.05), vascular invasion (p < 0.01), and recurrence (p < 0.05–0.01). HME protein was an independent influential factor of MVD (p < 0.01). HME protein/mRNA was an independent prognostic factor of gastric carcinoma (p < 0.05–0.01). Patients with overexpression of HME protein/mRNA demonstrated a significantly better survival rate compared with those who did not (p < 0.05–0.01).

Overexpression of HME is strongly correlated with the reduced angiogenesis and vascular invasion of gastric carcinoma, and may serve as a useful predictive indicator in patients with this disease.