Expression and regulation of metallopropteinases-2, -9 and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases in rat corpus luteum.

Discusses the expression and regulation of metalloproteinases-2, -9 (MMP-2, -9) and their tissue inhibitors TIMP-1, -2, -3 mRNA. Observation of MMP-2, -9 mRNA levels in the PMSGhCG primed pseudopregnant rat; Indication there were no significant changes in TIMP-2 mRNA expression from Day 1 to Day 14; TIMP-3 mRNA expression was the lowest at Day 1; Suggestion that TNF-α can increase the expression of MMP-2, -9 and TIMP-1 mRNA in the in vitro perfused pseudopregnant CL, decrease the expression of TIMP-3 mRNA, and have no effect on TIMP-2 mRNA expression; Conclusion that MMP-2, -9 and TIMP-1, -2, -3 could be involved in the regulation of CL function and the maintenance of CL structure through their coordinated gene expression; Assertion that TNF-α could inhibit luteal regression in the in vitro perfused pseudopregnant ovary.