Expression of MMP-14 and CD44 associated with proliferation of retinoblastoma cells

Abstract

Retinoblastoma is a the most common primary intraocular malignant tumor in childhood. The eexpressions of CD44 and MMP-14 and Their role in proliferation and migration cells appear crucial for retinoblastoma invasion. Thirty-five paraffin blocks from retinoblastoma patients with tumor material were compared with eight paraffin blocks of normal retina. Retinoblastoma patients were selected from patients diagnosed with retinoblastoma at Dr. Soetomo General Hospital, Surabaya. Immunohistochemical method was used to evaluate the expression of CD44, MMP-14, and cell proliferation (Ki-67). The expression of CD44, MMP-14, and Ki-67 protein was positive in all retinoblastoma samples. In retinoblastoma samples, 54,3% (19/35) of CD44 showed high expression (score 3). The majority (40%) of MMP-14 expression was low (score 1) in retinoblastoma samples. The majority (60%) of Ki-67 (21/35) showed high expression (score 2) in retinoblastoma samples. In normal retina, 100% CD44 was moderately expressed (score 1), Ki-67 and MMP-14 were not expressed. Their expression in retinoblastoma was significant when compared with normal retina. In retinoblastoma sample, positive staining of CD44 showed high expression in the cytoplasm of the cell. This suggests that hyaluronic acid, as a ligand to CD44 in cellÂ’s cytoplasm, has low molecular weight, expresses angiogenesis properties, and promotes tumor cell proliferation. MMP-14 in this study was reported to be expressed mostly on low level group. The expression of CD44 and MMP-14 is thought to play a role in inducing cell proliferation and invasion of retinoblastoma cells.