Abstract: To explore the protein expressions of CD147, MMP-9 and VEGF in pituitary adenomas and to study the biological relationships between CD147, MMP-9, and VEGF and the invasiveness of pituitary adenomas. MethodsThe expressions of CD147, MMP-9 and VEGF in 50 cases were determined by the immunohistochemical SP method. Correlation among CD147, MMP-9 and VEGF, and correlation between the expressions of CD147, MMP-9 and VEGF and invasiveness of pituitary adenomas were studied. ResultsThe intense expression and total expression rates of CD147 of pituitary adenoma patients with invasion were significantly higher than those without invasion (51.7% vs 23.8% and 93.1% vs 52.4%, P＜0.05). The intense expression and total expression rates of MMP9 in pituitary adenoma patients with invasion were significantly higher than those without invasion (58.6% vs 14.3% and 86.2% vs 42.9%, P＜0.05). Also the intense expression and total expression rates of VEGF in pituitary adenoma patients were significantly higher than those without invasion(62.1% vs 19.1% and 96.6% vs 57.1%,P＜0.05). There were mutually positive correlations among CD147, MMP9 and VEGF expressions in invasive pituitary adenomas. ConclusionThe high expression of CD147, MMP-9 and VEGF might relate to the aggressiveness and invasion in pituitary adenomas and may be useful markers for predicting invasiveness. In the process of invasive growth, CD147 has some relation to MMP-9 and VEGF, and MMP-9 and VEGF may act together.

Key words: Cluster of differentiation147, Matrix metalloproteinase9, Vascular endothelial growth factor, Pituitary neoplasms, Invasion