Objective：To observe the expression of matrix metalloproteinases-2（MMP-2） in the cortex and hippocampus of LiCl-pilo－carpine induced mice status epilepticus（SE） and to explore the role of MMP-2 in the pathogenesis of epilepsy. Methods：Totally 48 adult male C57/BL6 mice were randomly divided into experimental group and control group. Intraperitoneal injection of the lithium chloride and pilocarpine was applied in experimental mice of epilepsy to induce seizures and animal specimens were made for testing at 8 h after SE. MMP-2 mRNA contents were determined by RT-PCR，MMP-2 protein expressions were detected by Western blot and distribution and characteristics of MMP-2 in hippocampus and cortex were detected by immunohistochemical method. Results：①mRNA expressions of MMP-2 in control group and experimental group were 0.155 5±0.018 1 and 0.743 1±0.014 4 respectively in hippocampus and were 0.204 9±0.018 5 and 0.871 6±0.037 0 respectively in cortex. mRNA expressions of MMP-2 in the hippocam－pus and cortex of experimental mice were significantly higher compared with those in control group（t=-45.60，P=0.000；t=-71.83，P=0.000）. ②Protein expressions of MMP-2 in control group and experimental group were 0.084 5±0.009 6 and 0.728 4±0.245 1 re－spectively in hippocampus and were 0.155 6±0.003 9 and 0.912 5±0.027 7 respectively in cortex. Protein expressions of MMP-2 in hippocampus and cortex of experimental mice were significantly higher compared with those in control group（t=-76.52，P=0.000；t=-6.99，P=0.000）. ③Immunohistochemical results showed that the MMP-2 was widely expressed in cortex in experimental group. MMP-2 expression was increased in hippocampus，mainly in the CA1，dentate gyrus and CA3 region. Conclusions：mRNA and protein expressions of MMP-2 in the hippocampus and cortex of mice are significantly increased after SE，mainly in CA1，dentate gyrus and CA3 region，which indicats that MMP-2 has close relationship with occurrence and process of epilepsy.