Association of MRI features of invasive pituitary adenoma with the expression of galectin-3 and matrixmetallop roteinase-2

Objective: To explore the association of MRI features of invasive and noninvasive pituitary adenomas with the expressions of galectin-3( Gal-3) and matrixmetalloproteinase-2( MMP-2). Methods: MRI was performed preoperatively on 43 patients with histologically verified pituitary adenomas; immunohistochemistry was applied to detect the protein expressions of Gal-3 and MMP-2 in the invasive and non-invasive pituitary adenomas tissues. The MRI features and their correlation with the expressions of Gal-3 and MMP-2 were analyzed. Results: The expressions of Gal-3 and MMP-2 in the invasive pituitary adenomas were significantly higher than those in the non-invasive pituitary adenomas( P 0. 01). The Gal-3 and MMP-2 was positively correlated in invasive pituitary adenomas( P 0. 01). Conclusions: The expressions of Gal-3 and MMP-2 are closely associated with the aggressiveness of the pituitary adenoma, which may act as potential molecular markers for assessment of the invasive potential of pituitary adenomas. The cleavage of Gal-3 might be responsible for the tumorigenic potential of the cells and provide useful targets for molecular therapeutic strategy against invasive pituitary adenomas.