Correlation between MMPs and their inhibitors in breast cancer tumor tissue specimens and in cell lines with different metastatic potential

• Published in: BMC cancer 2009-01, Vol.9 (1), p.20-20, Article 20
• Main Authors: Figueira, Rita C S, Gomes, Luciana R, Neto, João S, Silva, Fabricio C, Silva, Ismael D C G, Sogayar, Mari C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Breast cancer; Breast Neoplasms - enzymology; Breast Neoplasms - genetics; Breast Neoplasms - metabolism; Breast Neoplasms - pathology; Care and treatment; Cell Line, Tumor; Dosage and administration; Enzyme inhibitors; Gene expression; Genetic aspects; GPI-Linked Proteins; Health aspects; Humans; Matrix Metalloproteinase 14 - biosynthesis; Matrix Metalloproteinase 14 - genetics; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 - biosynthesis; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 - genetics; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 - biosynthesis; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 - genetics; Matrix Metalloproteinases - biosynthesis; Matrix Metalloproteinases - genetics; Membrane Glycoproteins - biosynthesis; Membrane Glycoproteins - genetics; Neoplasm Invasiveness; Neoplasm Metastasis; Prognosis; Proteases; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA, Messenger - biosynthesis; RNA, Messenger - genetics; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 - biosynthesis; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 - genetics; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 - biosynthesis; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 - genetics; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases - biosynthesis; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases - genetics
• ISSN: 1471-2407; 1471-2407
• DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-9-20

The metastatic disease rather than the primary tumor itself is responsible for death in most solid tumors, including breast cancer. The role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs) and Reversion-inducing cysteine-rich protein with Kazal motifs (RECK) in the metastatic process has previously been established. However, in all published studies only a limited number of MMPs/MMP inhibitors was analyzed in a limited number of cell lines. Here, we propose a more comprehensive approach by analyzing the expression levels of several MMPs (MMP-2, MMP-9 and MMP-14) and MMP inhibitors (TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and RECK) in different models (five human breast cancer cell lines, 72 primary breast tumors and 30 adjacent normal tissues). We analyzed the expression levels of MMP-2, MMP-9 and MMP-14 and their inhibitors (TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and RECK) by quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) in five human breast cancer cell lines presenting increased invasiveness and metastatic potential, 72 primary breast tumors and 30 adjacent normal tissues. Moreover, the role of cell-extracellular matrix elements interactions in the regulation of expression and activity of MMPs and their inhibitors was analyzed by culturing these cell lines on plastic or on artificial ECM (Matrigel). The results demonstrated that MMPs mRNA expression levels displayed a positive and statistically significant correlation with the transcriptional expression levels of their inhibitors both in the cell line models and in the tumor tissue samples. Furthermore, the expression of all MMP inhibitors was modulated by cell-Matrigel contact only in highly invasive and metastatic cell lines. The enzyme/inhibitor balance at the transcriptional level significantly favors the enzyme which is more evident in tumor than in adjacent non-tumor tissue samples. Our results suggest that the expression of MMPs and their inhibitors, at least at the transcriptional level, might be regulated by common factors and signaling pathways. Therefore, the multi-factorial analysis of these molecules could provide new and independent prognostic information contributing to the determination of more adequate therapy strategies for each patient.