Figure 4.

A, Tumor gene expression (mean ± SD) of Mmp9, ‐2 and membrane type 1 metalloproteinase (Mt1‐mmp). B, Correlation between tumor volume (mm³) and Mmp9, ‐2 and Mt1‐mmp mRNA expression (circles for HL data and inverted triangles for the carbon tetrachloride [CCl₄] 7w group). Spearman rank correlation coefficient is indicated as r _s. C, Zymogram showing latent and active forms of MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 in the tumors. MMP activities were quantified by gel densitometry. Three bands and 5 bands were considered for proMMP‐9 and MMP‐9, respectively. Only 1 zymolytic band was detected for proMMP‐2 and MMP‐2. D, Correlation between tumor volume (mm³) and the sum of the latent and active forms of MMP‐9 and MMP‐2 (circles for HL data and inverted triangles for the CCl₄ 7w group). Spearman rank correlation coefficient is indicated as r _s. *P < .05; **P < .01. CCl₄ 7w, mice pretreated with CCl₄ for 7 wk; HL, healthy liver group