Abstract: Objective To investigate the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 10(MMP-10),tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2(TIMP-2),collagen typeⅣ(ColⅣ)and laminin(LN)in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)and the relationship between their expression and tumor differentiatio n and lymph node metastasis.Methods The expression of MMP-10,TIMP-2,ColⅣ and LN was observed by ABC immunohistochemical technique in 48 cutaneous SCCs (including 12SCCs with lymph node metastasis),among themthere were 34 highly differentiated and 14 poorly differentiated ones.Results There was a detectable staining reaction for MMP-10and TIMP-2 within cytoplasm of tumor cells and some fibroblast-like and endothelial cells surrounding neopl astic islands.The immunostaining of ColⅣ and LN was distributed along tumor nests or cells in fragmentary,disruptively linear or continuously linear patte rns.MMP-10 expression in poorly differentiated SCCs was significantly higher than that in highly differentiated ones(P<0.05),but there was no significant difference in SCCs with or without lymph node metastasis(P>0.05).Compared with the poorly different iated SCCs or SCCs with lymph node metastasis,TIMP-2,ColⅣ and LN in well differentiated SCCs or SCCs without metastasis was upregul ated(P<0.05-0.01).Conclusion Expression of TIMP-2,ColⅣ and LNrelates to the differentiation of carcinoma and lymph node metastasis,whereas MMP-10expression only correlates with the differentiation of cutaneous SCC.

Key words: Carcinoma,squamous cell, Metallop roteinases, Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2, Collagen, Laminin