Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 and 9 in the Medial Collateral Ligament Epiligament in Rat Knee

Alexandar Iliev; Georgi P. Georgiev; Iva N. Dimitrova; Georgi Kotov; Lina Malinova; Pavel Rashev; Boycho Landzhov

doi:10.21276/aanat.2016.2.2.8

Alexandar Iliev Department of Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, Medical University of Sofia, Bulgaria.
Georgi P. Georgiev Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University Hospital Queen Giovanna-ISUL, Medical University Sofia, Bulgaria.
Iva N. Dimitrova Department of Cardiology, University Hospital �St. Ekaterina�, Medical University of Sofia, Bulgaria.
Georgi Kotov Department of Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, Medical University of Sofia, Bulgaria.
Lina Malinova Department of Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, Medical University of Sofia, Bulgaria.
Pavel Rashev Department of Immunology of Reproduction, Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction � �Acad. K. Bratanov�, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria.
Boycho Landzhov Department of Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, Medical University of Sofia, Bulgaria.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21276/aanat.2016.2.2.8

Keywords: Epiligament, Immunohistochemistry, Matrix metalloproteinase-2 and 9, Medial collateral ligament, rat

Abstract

Background: In this study, we describe and compare the different expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and 9 (MMP-2 and 9) in the epiligament (EL) of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) of the rat knee. Methods: Twelve 8-month old male Wistar rats were used in this study. The MCL and the external surface of the surrounded EL were precisely dissected. The description of the structure of EL and the expression of MMP-2 and 9 were implemented by light microscopic and imunohistochemical analysis. Results: In the ligament, a classic morphological structure was found. The expression of the MMP-2 and MMP-9 was fSound in the adventitia of the blood vessels and in the fibroblast in the EL. The reaction of MMP-2 was more intensive in comparison to MMP-9. Conclusion: We present one of the first study of immunohistochemical localization and distribution of the enzyme MMP-2 and 9 in EL tissue and furthermore we describe and compare the enzyme activity of MMP-2 and 9 in the EL.

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