MT1-MMP and TIMP-2 are first expressed in the colon glands after a single dose of azoxymethane (AOM).

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) and membrane-type 1-matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) are always expressed during the cancer process. The aim was to identify which regions of the colon mucosa MT1-MMP and TIMP-2 begin to express themselves, as well as to establish their expression in relation to cell proliferation and mucin production. After intraperitoneal injection of 15 mg/kg of azoxymethane (AOM) at 4, 12, and 20 weeks, histological sections of the middle segment of the rat colon mucosa were evaluated by immunohistochemistry for cell proliferation and expression of MT1-MMP and TIMP-2 and histochemistry for mucin.