Objective: To study the effect of hypoxia on the expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in the hepatic stellate cell (HSC).
Methods: The expression of MMP-2 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) in cultured rat HSC was detected by immunocytochemistry (ICC). The relative amount of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in the culture supernatant was assayed by ELISA and the activity of MMP-2 in supernatant was examined by zymography.
Results: The expression of MMP-2 was enhanced in hypoxia group as compared with that in control one (t' 3.4685, P<0.05 ), while the expression of TIMP-2 was decreased (t'=2.5673, P<0.05). The activity of MMP-2 was lower in hypoxia group than in control one (t'=4.270, P<0.01). Comparing the varied duration of hypoxia, the relative amount of MMP-2 protein was the highest in 6 h group (6h vs 12h, t=4. 0945, P<0.001; 6h vs 24h, t=2.4652, P<0.025), with a contrary curve in TIMP-2.
Conclusion: Hypoxia promotes the expression of MMP-2 and inhibits the expression of TIMP-2 in HSC. It is more notable at early stage of hypoxia.