This study was conducted to develop a new animal model of ameloblastoma and to address the role of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in the growth and invasiveness of ameloblastomas.
Of the MMP-2/TIMP-2/MMP-14 complex, a high expression of MMP-2, TIMP-2 and MMP-14 mRNA levels may contribute to the local invasive characteristics of ameloblastoma, whereas the local invasive capacity of ameloblastoma is more likely related to a high transcriptional levels of TIMP-2 and MMP-14.