Abstract: Objective: To investigate the correlation between epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)regulators Twist1, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9, and microvessel density (MVD) in hepatocellular carcinoma and its clinical and pathological significance. Methods: A total of 97 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma specimens and their clinical data were collected. CD31 was used to mark the microvessel density (MVD). The expressions of Twist1,MMP-2 and MMP-9 were examined by immunohistochemistry staining. The correlations between the expressions, MVD and clinical and pathological indicators were analyzed. Results: MVD was correlated with clinical stage(P<0.05). The MVD of patients positive for Twist1-nuclear,Twist- cytoplasm and MMP-9 was higher than that of patients negative for Twist1-nuclear,Twist- cytoplasm and MMP-9(All P<0.05). Person correlation analysis of the positive cases also confirmed that the expressions of Twist1-nuclear,Twist- cytoplasm and MMP-9 were correlated with MVD (P<0.05).Conclusions: MVD increased was accompanied by high expression of Twist1 and MMP-9, with a certain clinical significance in indicating a poor prognosis.

Key words: epithelial-mesenchymal transition, matrix metalloproteinase, hepatocellular carcinoma, microvessel density