Objective To observe the expression of MMP-1, TNF-a in cholesteatoma and to determine their roles in the destruction of bone and their correlation. Methods Immunohistochemical method and the computer image quantitative analysis were used to examine the expression of TNF-α and MMP-1 in 22 cases of chotesteatomamiddle ear and 20 cases of normal external acoustic meatus skin. Results Positive stainings of MMP-1 and TNF-α were both localized in cytoplasm. The MMP-1 positive cells were found in all strata of cholesteatoma epithelium and active multiplication stromal cell. TNF-α was expressed in both epithlium and stromal cells. The results of the computer image quantitative analysis showed that the mean optical density of MMP-1 (0. 2013±0. 0106) and TNF-α (0.3852±0.0318) in cholesteatoma were higher than that in normal skin epithelial tissue( P＜0.05 ). Conclusion (1)MMP-1 and TNF-α are overexpressed in cholesteatoma. (2)MMP-1 and TNF-α have a correlation in their expression. (3)MMP-1 and TNF-α are both observed in stromal cells which indicates that stromal cells play an irnportant role in bone destruction.

Objective To investigate the chemokine 12 (CXCL12) and chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) expressions in hypopharyngeal carcinoma and its place in the disease development,invasion and metastasis of significance.Methods Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expressions of CXCL12 and CXCR4 in 35 cases of hypopharyngeal cancer tissues and in 28 cases of tumor-adjacent non-tumor tissues.Results The expressions of CXCL12 and CXCR4 in the hypopharynx carcinomas were significantly higher (P ＜ 0.05).Both expressed in hypopharyngeal carcinomas was significantly positively correlated (P ＜ 0.01).Both hypopharynx cancer in lymph node metastasis group were significantly higher than the expression of cervical lymph node metastasis group,the difference was significant (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions CXCL12 and CXCR4 are involved in hypopharynx cancer development,invasion and metastasis,and there is a positive feedback regulation mechanism between two factors.Moreover,CXCL12 and CXCR4 have synergistic effect in development,invasion and metastasis of hypopharynx cancers.