Abstract:
Background: Membrane type-matrix metalloproteinases (MT-MMPs) are a subgroup of
the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) family and are key molecules in the degradation of the
extracellular matrix. Membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP, MMP14) is often
deregulated in different cancer tissues and body fluids of human cancer patients; however, MT1-
MMP levels in endometriosis and adenomyosis patients are currently unknown. Materials and
Methods: Tissue samples from patients with and without endometriosis or adenomyosis were
analyzed with immunohistochemistry for the localization of MT1-MMP. Serum and endocervical
mucus samples from patients with and without endometriosis or adenomyosis were investigated
with MT1-MMP ELISAs. Results: MT1-MMP was localized preferentially in the glands of eutopic and
ectopic endometrium. MT1-MMP protein levels are significantly reduced in ovarian endometriosis
(HSCORE = 31) versus eutopic endometrium (HSCORE = 91) and adenomyosis (HSCORE = 149),
but significantly increased in adenomyosis (HSCORE = 149) compared to eutopic endometrium
(HSCORE = 91). Similarly, analysis of the levels of MT1-MMP using enzyme-linked immune assays
(ELISAs) demonstrated a significant increase in the concentrations of MT1-MMP in the serum of
endometriosis patients (1.3 ± 0.8) versus controls (0.7 ± 0.2), but not in the endocervical mucus.
Furthermore, MT1-MMP levels in the endocervical mucus of patients with endometriosis were
notably reduced in patients using contraception (3.2 ± 0.4) versus those without contraception
(3.8 ± 0.2). Conclusions: Taken together, our findings showed an opposite regulation of MT1-MMP
in the tissue of ovarian endometriosis and adenomyosis compared to eutopic endometrium without
endometriosis but increased serum levels in patients with endometriosis.
