To compare the localisation of mRNAs for the basement membrane degrading enzyme gelatinase A (72 kilodalton type IV collagenase) and its inhibitor TIMP-2 in carcinomas of the breast and basal cell carcinomas of the skin which have little or no ability to metastasize.
We have related these data to expression of some of the controlling elements of the enzymes, namely tissue inhibitors of metastasis (TIMPs) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF). mRNA for MMP-2 was found in the majority of cases and localized to stromal areas with maximal expression adjacent to neoplastic areas.
Gelatinase A (type-IV collagenase; M(r) 72,000) is produced by tumour stroma cells and is believed to be crucial for their invasion and metastasis, acting by degrading extracellular matrix macro-molecules such as type IV collagen.
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), such as 72 kDa type IV collagenase (MMP-2) and 92 kDa type IV collagenase (MMP-9), play an important role in tumor invasion and metastasis.
Three types of membrane type-matrix metalloproteinases (MT-MMPs) have been identified as activators of pro-MMP2 (gelatinase A/72-kilodalton Type IV collagenase), which is believed to be crucial for tumor invasion and metastasis.
Our data suggest that activation of MMP-2 and its proteolytic activity localized to the cell surface could differentially modulate tumor cell migration in response to particular matrix proteins by altering both composition of the extracellular matrix and expression of adhesion receptors on the cell surface.
In the liver tissues, enhanced secretion of active forms of gelatinase A and matrilysin was associated with portal venous invasion (P < 0.05, respectively), intrahepatic metastasis (P < 0.05, respectively), and recurrence within the first postoperative year (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively).
Furthermore, we show that the invasive cell populations express the metastasis-associated proteins matrix metalloproteinase MMP-2, CD44, and integrins alpha(v)beta3 and alpha6.
The Mr 72,000 type IV collagenase [matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2)] is known to play a central role in the process of invasion and metastasis, but its regulation is not clearly understood.
A 72-kDa type IV collagenase, also referred to as gelatinase A or MMP-2, has been proposed to potentiate the invasion and metastasis of malignant tumors.
Univariate analysis showed no significant association of gelatinase A and matrilysin mRNAs with the classical prognostic markers (age, menopausal status, stage, size, nodal status, vascular infiltrate, necrosis, steroid receptors, metastasis and survival).
MMP-13 expression was especially abundant in vulvar carcinomas showing metastasis to lymph nodes and was associated with expression of membrane type 1 MMP by tumor cells and gelatinase-A (MMP-2) by stromal cells, as detected by immunohistochemistry.
The gelatinases B (MMP-9) and A (MMP-2) are 2 members of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs) family which are expressed in human cancers and thought to play a critical role in tumor cell invasion and metastasis.
Analysis of the metastatic lesions showed that they expressed TGF-beta1 and MMP-2 but barely detectable levels of IL-10 or TIMP-1, suggesting that IL-10 and TIMP-1 might normally block tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis.
Our study demonstrates that of all tested components of the matrix metalloproteinase system, only expression of activated MMP-2 correlates with increased malignancy in our melanoma xenograft model, corroborating an important role of MMP-2 in human melanoma invasion and metastasis.
Enhanced mRNA expression of gelatinase A or gelatinase B and of matrilysin showed trends toward presence of capsular invasion (P = 0.078) and intrahepatic metastasis (P = 0.064), respectively.
Three different membrane-type matrix metalloproteinases (MT1-, MT2-, and MT3-MMPs) are known to activate in vitro the zymogen of MMP-2 (pro-MMP-2, progelatinase A), which is one of the key MMPs in invasion and metastasis of various cancers.
We hypothesized that GM-CSF may upregulate MMP-2 and/or MT1-MMP expression in HNSCC cells, and may thereby influence their ability to invade and metastasize.
Three different membrane-type matrix metalloproteinases (MT-MMPs) activate in vitro the latent form of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), which is one of the key proteinases in invasion and metastasis of various cancers.
Quantitative RT-PCR for membrane-types 1, 2 and 3 MMPs (MT1, 2 and 3-MMPs), which activate proMMP-2 in vitro, demonstrated that MT1-MMP is predominantly expressed in the carcinoma tissues, and the expression level is significantly higher in the carcinomas with lymph node metastasis than in those without metastasis (P < 0.05) or the control samples (P < 0.05).