MMP-2 and -9 expressions in LF tissue.

<p><b>A, B:</b> Comparison of MMP-2 (A) and MMP-9 (B) mRNA and protein expression in the LF of the LSCS and control groups. mRNA levels were normalized to <i>18S rRNA</i> levels. The value in the control group was set as 1. <b>C:</b> Immunohistochemical analysis of MMP-2 and -9 expressions in LF tissue from patients with LSCS (left) and control subjects (right). The inset in the left panel for MMP-2 shows a high-magnification view of the area enclosed by the dashed line. Arrowheads indicate MMP-positive cells. Scale bar, 100 μm. <b>D:</b> Correlation between MMP-2 mRNA (left) and protein (right) expression and LF thickness. Data represent the mean ± SEM (LSCS, n = 31 and control, n = 21 for mRNA assay; and n = 14 per group for protein assay). **P < 0.01 vs. control group. N.S., not significant.