Expression of matrix metalloproteinases 9 and 12 in actinic cheilitis

Table 1 Demographic data of patients with actinic cheilitis

	n(%)
Males	32 (91.42)
Females	3 (8.57)
Mean age (yr)	54.7 ± 12.1
Cigarette smokers	23 (65.7)
Drinking	15 (42.85)
Out-door occupation	24 (68.57)
Out-door occupation + smoking	18 (51.42)
Out-door occupation + drinking	13 (37.14)
Out-door occupation + smoking + drinking	22 (62.85)

Table 2 Immunoreactive score for matrix metalloproteinases immunohistochemistry

Score	Percentage of immunopositive cells (PS)	Staining intensity
0	0	Negative
1	< 10%	Weak
2	10%-50%	Moderate
3	> 50%	Strong

PS: Positive stained.

Table 3 Applied primary antibodies and staining conditions

Antibody	Source	Dilution	Antigen retrieval	Incubation time
Anti-MMP-9	Novocastra/Leica	1:50	Microwave	Room temperature
NCL-MMP9-439				1 h
Anti-MMP-12	Epitomics	1:50	Microwave	Room temperature
ab52897				1 h

MMP: Matrix metalloproteinase.

Table 4 Histopathological characteristics in 35 patients with actinic cheilitis n (%)

Histopathological characteristics	Negligible	Mild	Moderate	Severe
Increased thickness of keratin layer	4 (11.42)	13 (37.14)	11 (31.42)	7 (20)
Parakeratosis/orthokeratosis	12 (34.28)	2 (5.71)	5 (14.28)	16 (45.71)
Increased thickness of spinous cell layer	8 (22.85)	12 (34.28)	9 (25.71)	6 (17.14)
Atrophy of the spinous cell layer	0	0	2 (5.71)	0
Epithelial dysplasia	3 (8.57)	11 (31.42)	13 (37.14)	8 (22.85)
Connective tissue inflammation	3 (8.57)	11 (31.42)	12 (34.28)	9 (25.71)
Perivascular inflammation	17 (48.57)	7 (20)	6 (17.14)	5 (14.28)
Elastosis	1 (2.85)	9 (25.71)	15 (42.8)	10 (28.57)

Table 5 Immunoscores of matrix metalloproteinases expressed as mean total score ± SD

	MMP-9	MMP-12
Normal lower lip	1.11 ± 0.35	1.56 ± 0.69
Actinic cheilitis	1.33 ± 0.47	4.89 ± 0.86
Normal lower lip/actinic cheilitis	NS	1P = 0.0029

¹Significant over-expression in actinic cheilitis lesions compared with normal lower lip. NS: Not significant; MMP: Matrix metalloproteinase.