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PubMedDate not supplied

Correlation of matrix metalloproteinase-2, -9, tissue inhibitor-1 of matrix metalloproteinase and CD44 variant 6 in head and neck cancer metastasis.

This study aimed to explore the molecular mechanism in tumor invasion and metastasis. The expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2, -9 (MMP-2, MMP-9), tissue inhibitor-1 of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP-1), cell adhesion molecule 44 variant 6 (CD44v6), HER2/neu and p53 was investigated in 154 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) by ABC and ImmunoMax immunohistochemical method. Their clinical relevance and correlation were analysed. The expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, CD44v6, HER2/neu and p53 was found in cancer cells in 87.01%, 85.71%, 68.18%, 98.05%, 55.19% and 50.65% cases respectively. Linear regression and correlation analysis revealed that there was close positive relationship (P<0.05) between the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9, TIMP-1 and CD44v6, HER2/neu and MMP-9, MMP-2 and p53. Up-regulation of MMP-2 was accompanied by advanced T stage (P<0.01). There was also a trend of MMP-2 expression being related with tumor metastasis. Increased expression of HER2/neu was found in patients with tumor recurrence(P<0.05). The expression of TIMP-1 was higher in laryngeal cancer than that in pharyngeal cancer, and higher in keratinizing and non-keratinizing SCC than that in basaloid SCC(P<0.05). These findings suggested that MMP-2 and MMP-9, HER2/neu and MMP-9, MMP-2 and p53 had a coordinate function in aggression of tumor; that MMP-2 had a more important function than MMP-9 in tumor invasion and metastasis; and that HER2/neu might serve as a biomarker for poor prognosis in HNSCC.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

A simple method for weighted bending of genetic (co)variance matrices.

Due to computational demand, elements of genetic correlation matrices may have been estimated separately and then combined together into a single correlation matrix at a later stage. Because these matrices should be positive definite (PD) a statistical method commonly known as "bending" is used to make them positive definite. The conventional bending method ignores the reliability of different correlations and may subject any of them to change in order to make a positive definite correlation matrix. A simple method to obtain a weighted bended matrix to be used in animal breeding applications is proposed, and the implementation of the method is demonstrated by an example.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2002

C-erbB receptors in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck: clinical significance and correlation with matrix metalloproteinases and vascular endothelial growth factors.

We studied the profile of four c-erbB receptors in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) and to determine whether their expression was associated with clinicopathological features and key molecules involved in angiogenesis and metastasis. We also assessed the impact of expression on survival. This study included 54 cases of primary HNSCC, of which 27 cases showed lymph node metastasis. The expression of c-erbB receptors, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family members was analysed in the same tissue homogenates by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. HNSCC frequently co-expressed multiple c-erbB receptors and showed significant correlations amongst their levels. High expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), c-erbB-2 or c-erbB-3 was associated with an infiltrating mode of invasion, nodal metastases and advanced pathological stages. EGFR and c-erbB-2 levels were strongly correlated (P=0.0004-0.029) with the expression of MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-9, MMP-10, MMP-11, MMP-13, VEGF-A and VEGF-C whereas the levels of c-erbB-3 and B-4 showed a weaker correlation (P=0.049-0.01) with some MMPs and VEGF-C. Only nodal metastasis and EGFR levels were significantly associated with poor outcome in uni- and multi-variate analysis. We conclude that co-operative signalling of all four c-erbB receptors may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of HNSCC. Amongst these, EGFR appears to be the dominant component controlling the invasive and angio-/lymphangiogenic phenotype in HNSCC via upregulation of multiple MMPs and VEGFs.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Structural equation modeling of qualification of pharmacists to improve subjected quality of life in cancer patients.

PURPOSE: To establish structural equation model (SEM) of subjected quality of life (QOL) in cancer patients taking into account qualification of pharmacists. METHOD: The SEM model was constructed from correlation matrix of the scores of answers of questions to both patients and pharmacists. Data were collected from 15 cancer patients who hospitalized and took opioid analgesics for pain control. The patients were asked 18 questions and pharmacists were asked seven questions. From the correlation matrix among scores of answers, a reasonable model was explored by SEM. RESULTS: Health-related QOL (HRQOL) in cancer patients can be modeled by latent variables consist of contributions from physical, emotional and functional domains. The fitting between data and the model was acceptable by statistical goodness-of-fit (GOF) index. The modeled HRQOL by SEM was weakly correlated with subjected QOL in patients, indicating that subjected QOL in patients would be affected not only by above latent variables but other variables. The model taking into account qualification of pharmacists to improve subjected QOL in patients was also made by SEM. The model was reasonably explained and fitting between data and the model was acceptable from some statistical index. The final model suggests that pharmacist can raise subjected QOL in patients through restraining unpleasant side effects. CONCLUSION: The qualification of pharmacists to improve subjected QOL in patients can be modeled by SEM. The final model suggests that pharmacists with qualification to assess patients' pain status contribute to raise subjected quality of life in cancer patients.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

Is anhedonia a specific dimension in chronic schizophrenia?

This article explores the relationships among anhedonia, depression, and schizophrenic symptomatology in chronic schizophrenia. To explore these relationships, factor analysis methods were used to analyze the latent organization of the variables. The Fawcett Clark Pleasure Capacity Scale-Physical Pleasure (FCPCS-PP) and the abridged version of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were completed by 150 subjects who met research diagnostic criteria for definite chronic schizophrenia. The schizophrenic symptomatology was rated using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Two separate exploratory principal components analyses were completed, followed by varimax rotation. The first was made on the correlation matrix comprising items from both the FCPCS-PP and PANSS and yielded a five-factor solution with virtually no overlap of the significant factor loadings for the items from each scale. The second was made on the correlation matrix comprising items from both the FCPCS-PP and BDI and yielded a two-factor solution with virtually no overlap of the significant factor loadings for the items from each scale. Confirmatory factor analyses corresponding to the two exploratory factor analyses were done to examine the goodness of fit of the five-factor solution versus a four-factor solution and the two-factor solution versus a one-factor solution. The five-factor and the two-factor solutions yielded the best fit to the data relative to the other models tested. The findings support the view that part of anhedonia is a construct that is distinct and separate from depression and schizophrenic symptomatology in chronic schizophrenia.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

[Correlation between matrix metalloproteinases-2 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 expression, metastatic potential and tumor angiogenesis in synovial sarcoma and its prognostic significance].

OBJECTIVE: To study the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-2 in tumor cells of synovial sarcoma and its clinical significance. METHODS: Expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in tumor cells of 72 cases of synovial sarcoma was studied by immunohistochemistry. The profile was correlated with clinicopathologic parameters, microvessel density (MVD) (analyzed by CD31 immunostaining) and survival rate. RESULTS: (1) There was a statistically significant negative correlation between expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 (r = -0.290 and P = 0.013). (2) The proportion of high MMP-2 expression to low TIMP-2 expression in patients with tumor metastasis was significantly higher than that in patients without metastasis (P = 0.010 and 0.002 respectively). (3) MVD of patients with high MMP-2 expression was higher than that in the low MMP-2 expression group (P = 0.005). MVD of patients with high TIMP-2 expression was lower than that in the low TIMP-2 expression group (P = 0.048). (4) Low TIMP-2 expression significantly correlated with poor prognosis of patients with synovial sarcoma, by univariate and multivariate survival analysis (P = 0.002 and 0.016 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 correlates with metastatic potential and tumor angiogenesis in synovial sarcoma. Low TIMP-2 expression often indicates poor prognosis and unfavorable clinical outcomes.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

[Correlation of matrix metalloproteinase-3 polymorphism to genetic susceptibility and lymph node metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) might be involved in invasion and metastasis of tumors by degrading extracellular matrix (ECM) and basement membrane (BM). The 5A or 6A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at the -1 171 bp site of promoter region of MMP-3 may modify the transcription and local expression of MMP-3. This study was to investigate correlation of the MMP-3 SNP with genetic susceptibility and lymph node metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: Genotypes of the MMP-3 SNP of 173 NSCLC patients and 350 healthy controls were detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). RESULTS: Distributions of the MMP-3 genotypes in both NSCLC patients and healthy controls were accorded with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P>0.05). Frequencies of the 6A/6A, 5A/6A, and 5A/5A genotypes were 65.3%, 30.6%, and 4.1% in NSCLC patients, and 67.7%, 30.0%, and 2.3% in healthy controls, whereas frequencies of the 6A and 5A alleles were 79.3% and 20.7% in NSCLC patients, and 82.7% and 17.3% in healthy controls. The overall genotype and allelotype distributions among NSCLC patients and healthy controls were similar (P>0.05). However, stratified analysis found that frequency of the 5A allele was significantly higher in smoking patients than in healthy smokers (21.0% vs. 12.9%, P=0.03). Therefore, smokers with the 5A/6A or 5A/5A genotype have higher risk of developing NSCLC [age and sex adjusted odds ratio (OR) =2.07, 95% confidence interval (CI) =1.13-3.78]. When stratified by pathologic types, no significant difference in MMP-3 genotype or allelotype distribution between adenocarcinoma patients, squamous carcinoma patients and healthy controls was shown. When further stratified by lymphatic metastasis status, frequencies of the 5A allele and the 5A/5A genotype were significantly higher in NSCLC patients with lymphatic metastasis than in NSCLC patients without lymphatic metastasis (22.8% vs. 11.8%, P=0.02u 8.6% vs. 0%, P=0.02). Thus, NSCLC patients with the 5A/5A genotype have higher risk of lymphatic metastasis than NSCLC patients with the 6A/6A genotype (OR=12.38, 95% CI=0.76-202.13). CONCLUSIONS: The 5A allele of MMP-3 might be associated with the increased susceptibility to NSCLC among smokers. The 5A homozygote might increase the risk of lymphatic metastasis in NSCLC patients.

Alleles↗

PubMed1992

Family and couple properties, and placenta weight in the populations of Białystok and Zambrów, Poland.

The purpose of this study was an analysis of relationships between the traits of families and parents, also recognition of factors determining family properties, including factors responsible for placenta weight. Correlation matrix was used to find relationships among traits, and factor analysis with rotation of the Varimax type was used to identify factors. A total of 795 women were examined, including their placenta and family traits, in the regions of Białystok and Zambrów, in 1977-1978. A correlation matrix of 23 traits of the family and couple, and the weight of placenta during a given pregnancy, was analyzed. A total of 8 factors were discerned, explaining 61.3% of the total variation of the traits. Factor 1 (F1) represented the culture (consciousness) of the family and morbidity of the mother (15.2%), F2-parental age at pregnancy of a given mother (10.4%), F3-living conditions (8.1%), F4-arterial blood pressure of mother (8.1%), F5-body size of the mother (6.5%), F6-traits of the menstrual cycle and morbidity of the mother (5.6%), F7-body size of the father (4.7%), and F8-characterized father's morbidity (4.4%). A relatively low but statistically significant correlation was found between the weight of placenta, on the one hand, and the weight and stature of the mother and number of pregnancies, on the other hand. A little higher correlation was found between the weight of placenta and the morbidity of the mother.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Reliability of function-related tests in patients with shoulder pathologies.

STUDY DESIGN: Nonexperimental. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the intertester and intratester reliability of a battery of function-related tests in patients with shoulder pathologies and associated reduced range of motion. BACKGROUND: A battery of function-related tests has the potential to complement assessment of functional limitation in patients who have shoulder pathologies. METHODS AND MEASURES: Three function-related tests (hand to neck, hand to scapula, and hand to opposite scapula) were conducted on 46 patients with shoulder pathologies, and 46 age- and gender-matched control subjects. The tests were performed by 2 independent physiotherapists to test intertester reliability. Intratester reliability was examined by investigating the reproducibility of the tests performed twice, with 3 to 5 days between tests, by the same physiotherapist. Comparison of the scores on the function-related tests between patients and controls was evaluated. A correlation matrix was calculated to test the level of association among the tests. RESULTS: Intratester and intertester reliability on the 3 tests (weighted K) varied from 0.83 to 0.90. The patient's test performances were decreased in comparison to the control group. The correlation matrix demonstrated a level of associations among the 3 tests varying from r = 0.64 to r = 0.66. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that function-related tests are reliable and could be used in clinical practice to document reduced function of the shoulder. The level of association among the tests indicates that each test measured different aspects of shoulder function.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor in human head and neck squamous carcinoma cell lines correlates with matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression and in vitro invasion.

Numerous reports have shown an association between overexpression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and poor prognosis in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC), however, the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. In the present study, we set out to determine whether EGFR expression was associated with in vitro invasive capacity in a panel of four established and ten newly derived HNSCC lines. Ten of the cell lines expressed high levels of EGFR as determined by a ligand-binding assay and dot blot analysis, whereas the remaining four showed weak overexpression or normal levels of EGFR. The ability of cells to invade through Matrigel was found to be higher in the EGFR overexpressing cell lines (p < 0. 0001). Expression levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-7, MMP-9, MMP-10, MMP-11, MMP-13, MT1-MMP) and tissue inhibitors of MMP (TIMP-1, TIMP-2) were evaluated by semiquantitative RT-PCR, substrate zymography and western blot. We found a strong positive correlation between EGFR levels and the expression of MMP-9 mRNA (r(2) = 0.95; p < 0.0001), MMP-9 enzyme activity (r(2) = 0.8099; p < 0.0001) and an inverse correlation with TIMP-1 (r(2) = 0.48; p = 0.0059). In six selected HNSCC lines, in vitro invasion was assayed in the presence of an anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody, ICR62. A significant reduction of invasion in four selected EGFR-overexpressing cell lines was found with 30 nM ICR62 (from 50% to 70%; p < 0.001) but there was no effect in two cell lines with normal EGFR levels. Our results show that the in vitro invasive phenotype of HNSCC lines correlates with high EGFR and MMP-9 expression, and it is therefore suggested that the EGFR signaling pathway might play an important role in the invasive behavior of HNSCC via specific upregulation of MMP-9 and downregulation of TIMP-1.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

PubMed1983

[Chief factors in the system of women's physical dimensions].

The investigation has been performed in 670 young (18--20 years-old) Estonian women. They are healthy students from Tartu University having a normal menstrual cycle, or with some slight deviations in it. In every woman 56 body dimensions, including the external obstetric pelvic ones, are analysed. The measurement technique in general corresponds to the classical techniques suggested by V. V. Bunak (1941) and R. Martin (1928). The linear correlation matrix of the body dimensions statistically significant positive correlations have been revealed between all the signs studied, the body mass and length possessing, the highest correlations. When the influence of the body mass and length is eliminated, the usual correlative correlation system is destroyed. Instead of the previous system, where all the signs are statistically positively significantly connected, the only connections remain that include 46% of negative connections and 30% of statistically significant, but very weak connections (the critical value r-0,088). The factor matrix is calculated on the base of the correlation matrix by means of the main components method. For its rotation the so called method of varimax is used. Three, five and seven factors are rotated (the parts of the initial signs in the total variance are 56, 65, 72%, respectively). The factor analysis also supports the main role of the body mass and length. When the number of the factors and described by them the part of the total variance increases, only some peculiar factors connected with subsystems are added. The factor analysis demonstrates that, besides the body mass and length, there are no other equally important body dimensions which could be used for description of the woman's body structure.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Degradation of type II collagen, but not proteoglycan, correlates with matrix metalloproteinase activity in cartilage explant cultures.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the contribution of certain matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) to the degradation of proteoglycan and type II collagen in cartilage. METHODS: Bovine nasal and articular cartilage explants were cultured with recombinant human interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) for up to 4 weeks. Release of proteoglycan and type II collagen into the medium was determined by colorimetric assay and immunoassay, respectively. The activity of MMPs in the medium was assayed using a quenched fluorescent substrate, as well as with a collagen fibril assay, by zymography, and in Western immunoblots. In some experiments, the effects of specific MMP inhibitors on type II collagen degradation were studied. RESULTS: In cultures of nasal cartilage with IL-1 alpha, almost all the proteoglycan was released within the first week, whereas there was no detectable release of type II collagen for the first 2 weeks of culture. A rapid period of almost complete dissolution of the collagen occurred in the third or fourth week. MMP activity measured using a quenched fluorescent substrate was negligible during the first 2 weeks of culture but was substantially increased in the third week of culture, at the time of collagen degradation. Similarly, there was a large increase in collagenolytic activity (by collagen fibril assay) and gelatinolytic activity (by zymography) during the third week of culture. Articular cartilage cultured with IL-1 alpha lost proteoglycan progressively during the 4-week period; however, there was no loss of type II collagen from the matrix in that time and no significant increase in MMP activity. The loss of type II collagen from nasal cartilage stimulated with IL-1 alpha was inhibited by BB87, an inhibitor of both collagenases and gelatinases, and by BB3003, a selective inhibitor of gelatinase A. In Western immunoblots, procollagenase and active interstitial collagenase could be readily detected in nasal cartilage cultures. Some procollagenase 3 and active collagenase 3 was also shown to be present. CONCLUSION: MMP activity correlates with degradation of type II collagen, but not proteoglycan, in cartilage cultures. Interstitial collagenase, collagenase 3, and gelatinases are all likely to contribute to cleavage and removal of collagen from the cartilage matrix. The proteinase(s) responsible for aggrecan breakdown remains unclear.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Meta-analytic structural equation modeling: a two-stage approach.

To synthesize studies that use structural equation modeling (SEM), researchers usually use Pearson correlations (univariate r), Fisher z scores (univariate z), or generalized least squares (GLS) to combine the correlation matrices. The pooled correlation matrix is then analyzed by the use of SEM. Questionable inferences may occur for these ad hoc procedures. A 2-stage structural equation modeling (TSSEM) method is proposed to incorporate meta-analytic techniques and SEM into a unified framework. Simulation results reveal that the univariate-r, univariate-z, and TSSEM methods perform well in testing the homogeneity of correlation matrices and estimating the pooled correlation matrix. When fitting SEM, only TSSEM works well. The GLS method performed poorly in small to medium samples.

Humans↗

PubMed2006

Real-time adaptive clutter rejection filtering in color flow imaging using power method iterations.

We propose a new algorithm for real-time, adaptive-clutter-rejection filtering in ultrasound color flow imaging (CFI) and related techniques. The algorithm is based on regression filtering using eigenvectors of the signal correlation matrix as a basis for representing clutter, a method that previously has been considered too computationally demanding for real-time processing in general CFI applications. The data acquisition and processing scheme introduced allows for a more localized sampling of the clutter statistics and, therefore, an improved clutter attenuation for lower filter orders. By using the iterative power method technique, the dominant eigenvalues and corresponding eigenvectors of the correlation matrix can be estimated efficiently, rendering real-time operation feasible on desktop computers. A new adaptive filter order algorithm is proposed that successfully estimates the proper dimension of the clutter basis, previously one of the major drawbacks of this clutter-rejection technique. The filter algorithm performance and computational demands has been compared to that of conventional clutter filters. Examples have been included which confirms that, by adapting the clutter-rejection filter to estimates of the clutter-signal statistics, improved attenuation of the clutter signal can be achieved in normal as well as more excessive cases of tissue movement and acceleration.

Artifacts↗

PubMed2003

[Serum interleukin 6 (il-6A) concentration correlates with matrix metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors in rheumatoid arthritis].

We explored whether the serum concentration of interleukin 6 (IL-6) is associated with matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Serum levels of IL-6, interstitial collagenase (MMP-1), stromelysin-1 (MMP-3), gelatinase B (MMP-9), TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were assessed with an ELISA technique in 30 RA patients. We observed the association between IL-6 and MMP-1 (p < 0.001), MMP-3 (p < 0.05), MMP-9 (p < 0.001), TIMP-1 (p < 0.01) and TIMP-2 (p < 0.05). Additionally, serum IL-6, measured MMPs and TIMP-1 correlated with the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C reactive protein plasma level and the number of swollen joints. We suggest that assessing the serum IL-6, MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 levels may be helpful in the prediction of the RA activity.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗

PubMed2004

Vascular endothelial growth factor correlates with matrix metalloproteinase-9 in the pleural effusion.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent, multifunctional cytokine that contributes to angiogenesis and inflammation. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is one of the major proteolytic enzymes that degrade various components of the extracellular matrix. Few data are available on the potential relationship between VEGF and MMP-9 in the accumulation of pleural effusion. We examined levels of VEGF and MMP-9 by means of enzyme immunoassay, zymographic analysis, and Western blot analysis in the patients with liver cirrhosis, tuberculosis, or lung cancer. The levels of VEGF and MMP-9 were significantly increased in the pleural fluids and sera of patients with tuberculosis and were even higher in patients with lung cancer compared with the patients with liver cirrhosis. A significant correlation was established between the level of VEGF and the level of MMP-9 in the pleural effusion. These results suggest that overproduction of VEGF and MMP-9 is associated with accumulation of the pleural effusion in tuberculosis and lung cancer. The relationship between VEGF and MMP-9 in the pleural effusion may have a role in the pathogenesis of pleural fluid formation.

Blotting, Western↗

PubMed1989

[Changes in energy metabolism in the brain in experimental cerebral ischemia of different degree of severity (nuclear magnetic resonance-spectroscopic study)].

The peculiarities of brain energy metabolism were studied in male rats before and during cerebral ischemia of various severity elicited by bilateral common carotid arteries ligation. A multidimensional analysis was applied. In the rats which died after the ischemia, the NAD + NADH+/phosphocreatine (PCr) ratio and ATP content before ligation were higher than those in the surviving group. Also the strength of relationships between parameters of NMR spectra in each correlation matrix were 10 times higher and the variability of elements in each matrix was significantly lower in victims than those in the surviving group. The development of severe ischemia and the animals death were accompanied by an increase in the inorganic phosphate content, decrease in pH and stepwise disappearing of PCr and ATP. In animals surviving the same brain ischemia model, the changes in 31P spectra parameters pointed to some increase in the ratio of NAD + NADH+ only to ATP + ADP but not to PCr, and to an increase in summarized strength of correlation between 31P spectra parameters with the variability of elements decreased within each correlation matrix. Detection of these changes can be helpful in the diagnosis of mild ischemia without neurological deficit which already needs preventive therapy against more severe ischemia.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Significant correlation between matrix metalloproteinase activity and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in salivary extravasation mucoceles.

We examined the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in luminal fluid of 18 extravasation mucoceles and in saliva from Wharton's duct of five patients by means of gelatin zymography and enzyme immunoassay, respectively. The luminal fluid showed a high level of MMP activity compared with the saliva. Quantitative determination by enzyme immunoassay revealed that the luminal fluid contained higher levels of TNF-alpha than the saliva. In addition, the amount of TNF-alpha in luminal fluid exhibited a direct correlation with MMP activity estimated by densitometric analysis of gelatin zymograms. Since TNF-alpha stimulates the production of MMPs from cells such as fibroblasts, these results suggest that TNF-alpha is one of the causal molecules that enhance the accumulation of proteolytic enzymes in luminal fluid of mucoceles.

Body Fluids↗