The expression and significance of bone sialoprotein and matrix metalloproteinase-9 in calcified valves of patients with rheumatic heart disease

Objective To observe the expression of bone sialoprotein (BSP) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in calcified valves of patients with rheumatic heart disease.Methods A total of 150 mitral valves which were resected by surgery were divided into rheumatic group ( 120 valves) and nonrheumatic group (30 valves).Immunohistochemical staining was taken by SP method and the expressions of BSP and MMP-9 in two groups were observed and compared.Results The positive expressions of BSP and MMP-9 in rheumatic group were 91.7％(110/120) and 90.8％(109/120),respectively,which were significantly higher than those in non-rheumatic group [23.3％(7/30) and 20.0％(6/30) ](P＜ 0.01 ).Conclusions The expressions of both BSP and MMP-9 are higher in the valves of patients with rheumatic heart disease.The calcification of rheumatic mitral valves is closely related with the degradation and remodeling of extracellular matrix caused by MMP-9,and osteoblast-like bone formation induced by BSP. Key words: Sialoglycoproteins; Matrix metalloproteinase 9; Rheumatic heart disease