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. 2025 Jul 2;15(7):1060.
doi: 10.3390/life15071060.

MMP-2-Potential Predictor of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Squamous Cell Carcinogenesis

Doinița Temelie-Olinici  1 , Bild Walther  1   2 , Laura Gheucă-Solovăstru  3 , Mihaela Perțea  4   5 , Daniela-Anicuța Leca  6 , Bogdan-Vasile Grecu  1 , Ioana-Alina Halip  3 , Mădălina Mocanu  3 , Ioana-Adriana Popescu  3 , Adriana-Ionela Pătrașcu  3 , Dan Vâță  3
Affiliations

MMP-2-Potential Predictor of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Squamous Cell Carcinogenesis

Doinița Temelie-Olinici et al. Life (Basel). .

Abstract

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is one of the key steps in cutaneous carcinogenesis. At the molecular level, this cellular dedifferentiation is modulated by the interaction of signalling pathways that favour basement membrane degradation under the influence of proinflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Given the intricate role of these endopeptidases in modulating extracellular matrix turnover, the present study aimed primarily to identify the MMP-2 expression profile during the early stages of cutaneous malignant transformation. Forty-eight lesions with malignant transformation potential were excised in healthy tissue. Following the histopathological diagnosis of keratoacanthoma, Bowen's disease and actinic keratosis, the biological preparations were deparaffinised and homogenised in order to perform the FRET technique using the "MMP-2 Assay Kit Fluorometric". The results of the previous part of this research indicate that MMP-2 expression is more intense in lesions of actinic keratosis compared to normal tissues and to keratoacanthoma or Bowen's disease lesions, inversely proportional to the histopathological degree of dysplasia. Monitoring metalloproteinase activity in dysplastic epithelium may improve the detection of malignant transformation and guide treatment decisions.

Keywords: MMP-2; carcinogenesis; epithelial–mesenchymal transition; premalignant skin lesions.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Comparison of MMP-2 expression between lesions and epidermis witness controls.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Comparison of MMP-2 expression according to severity of dysplasia (degree of atypia).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Molecular controllers of EMT.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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