Background. Gastric cancer (GC) is a significant global health concern, ranking as the fifth most common malignant tumor and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The primary treatment approach for metastatic GC is systemic chemotherapy. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a group of zinc-dependent proteolytic enzymes that play crucial roles in various physiological processes. Among them, MMP9 is known for its complexity and its ability to degrade the components of the extracellular matrix. This study aimed to compare the expression of the MMP9 gene in cancerous and adjacent tissue of GC and evaluate its knockdown effects on GC cell line migration. Methods. In the present study, 50 tumor tissues and adjacent non-tumor control tissues were collected from patients with GC. Using a real-time polymerase chain reaction, the expression levels of the MMP9 gene were assessed in these samples. Additionally, bioinformatics methods were employed to analyze MMP9 expression in a larger cohort of GC patients. Furthermore, a data mining study was conducted to investigate the potential impact of MMP9 expression on the overall survival of GC patients. In addition, appropriate small interfering RNA (siRNA) was synthesized to suppress the MMP9 oncogene and transfected into the GC cell line, and migration was investigated eventually. Results. The results demonstrated significant upregulation of the MMP9 gene in tumor samples compared to tumor-adjacent samples, with a notable fold change of 4.6. This consistent finding was further supported by our bioinformatics analysis. Additionally, our pan-cancer analysis of TCGA data revealed that MMP9 is upregulated in various malignant tumors, indicating its potential relevance beyond GC. After MMP9 siRNA transfection, the migration rate of the cancer cells was evaluated by a wound-healing assay. The GC cell migration and invasion significantly decreased after the knockdown of MMP9 by specific siRNA. Conclusion. In general, our study showed MMP9 upregulation in GC and suggested that the transfection of MMP9 gene siRNA could reduce invasion and migration. Practical Implications. siRNAs are promising medical breakthroughs for the treatment of MMP9-related cancer invasion and migration. However, there is still a need to deepen our understanding of MMP9 gene function in tumorigenesis.

Infertility as a vital process in human reproduction involves many couples worldwide. Although many genetic causes of infertility are known, the genetic basis of infertility in men is largely unknown. Therefore, the identification of genetic biomarkers in this field is important and genetic polymorphisms in key genes of the spermatogenesis pathway can be valuable biomarkers in this field. Gene's polymorphisms with specific genetic background and/or environmental factors can lead to the dysfunction in testicular function or the process of sperm production. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of zinc-dependent enzymes that play an important role in extracellular matrix remodeling by activating gelatinases, collagenases, and proteolytic enzymes. These enzymes are essential for the regulation of cellular connections in the testis. Extracellular matrix degradation and connective tissue remodeling are important structural changes in germ cell migration that are controlled through important genes, including MMPs and their biological inhibitors. Given the important role of MMPs in the structural and functional characteristics of reproductive organs, genetic polymorphisms in MMP genes are significant because they can influence gene transcription and the biological function of proteins. Studies have shown that matrix metalloproteinases are involved in the degradation of extracellular matrix and play an important role in the process of spermatogenesis and sperm quality. This review article aims to evaluate the role of two common, functional MMP2 G1575A and MMP9 C-1562T polymorphisms in male infertility. The findings indicate that polymorphisms of MMP2 G1575A and MMP9 C-1562T can affect gene transcription, protein level, and enzymatic activity, and also, these variants can be as one of the genetic causes in male infertility among different ethnic populations. Therefore, identifying these molecular changes can help to adopt appropriates therapeutic and diagnostic measures as well as guide therapeutic approaches to intelligent therapies. To achieve a definitive conclusion and confirm the association of these polymorphisms with male infertility, evaluations of gene-gene and geneenvironment interactions can be important for larger sample sizes of different ethnicities.

Aim: In this study, the toxicity effect of silver nanoparticles on colon cancer (HT29) was measured and evaluate the expression of the matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) genes. Material and methods: In this study, the synthesized AgNPs were characterized by the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. The cytotoxicity effect of silver nanoparticles against the HT29 cell lines was investigated using MTT assay. Also, MMP9 gene expression was measured using real time PCR technique. Results: The TEM result showed that the fabricated AgNPs were mostly spherical in shape and having an average diameter of 22 nm. The results revealed that AgNPs significantly decreased the viability of cells in dose-and time dependent manner (P<0. 001). Also, there was a significant relationship between the differences in concentrations. MMP9 gene expression levels in HT29 cells were decreased to 0. 4897 ± 0. 00679 (P<0. 001) compared with the control group. Conclusion: According to the results, the green fabricated AgNPs can be considered as a promising strategy for the treatment of colon cancer.

Background and Objectives: One of the causes of liver cancer is the heavy metal cadmium. Crocin is a compound with antioxidant properties. This study aimed to investigate the effect of crocin on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 and 9 (MMP2 and MMP9) genes in cadmium-induced liver cancer in rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 female rats were randomly divided into four groups: Control; Crocin (15 mg/kg); Cadmium (20 mg/kg); Crocin± cadmium. After 8 weeks of daily treating by gavage, the liver tissue was removed to evaluate gene expression by Real-Time PCR. Data were analyzed by One-way ANOVA. Results: The results revealed that cadmium consumption increases the expression of MMP2 and MMP9 genes in the liver tissue (p<0. 001). Crocin significantly reduced the expression of both genes in the liver tissue (p<0. 001). Conclusion: Crocin can reduce the raising effect of cadmium on the expression of MMP2 and MMP9 in the liver tissue.

The majority of meningiomas is classified as grade 1 and typically follows a benign course. However, when morphologically grade 1 meningiomas invade adjacent brain tissue, they are reclassified as the World Health Organization (WHO) grade 2 tumors, which worsen the prognosis. Tumor cell invasion into adjacent structures requires extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation and diminished intercellular adhesion. Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) is a key protein involved in ECM degradation, while E-cadherin plays a critical role in maintaining intercellular adhesion. This study aims to compare the immunohistochemistry (IHC) expression of MMP9 and E-cadherin in morphologically grade 1 meningiomas with and without brain invasion and to assess the correlation between their expression and brain invasion. An analytic observational study with a cross-sectional design was conducted using formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples from patients diagnosed with grade 1 meningiomas at Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital. The study included 43 subjects, divided into two groups: meningiomas with brain invasion (n = 20) and meningiomas without brain invasion (n = 23). IHC staining for MMP9 and E-cadherin was performed, and expression levels were evaluated using the H-score system. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Mann-Whitney test. No significant difference in MMP9 expression was observed between the two groups (p = 0.08), although a trend toward higher expression was noted in meningiomas with brain invasion. In contrast, E-cadherin expression was significantly lower in meningiomas with brain invasion compared to those without (p < 0.001). Decreased E-cadherin expression is strongly associated with brain invasion in grade 1 meningiomas and may serve as a predictor of this aggressive behavior. While MMP9 expression did not reach statistical significance, the observed trend warrants further investigation. These findings highlight the potential role of E-cadherin in meningioma progression and its utility as a prognostic marker.