Tumour cell thrombospondin-1 regulates tumour cell adhesion and invasion through the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor

We have previously shown that platelet-produced thrombospondin-1 up-regulates the urokinase plasminogen activator and its receptor and promotes tumour cell invasion. Although tumour cells produce thrombospondin-1 in vivo, they produce only minimal amounts of thrombospondin-1 in vitro. To determine the effect of tumour cell-produced thrombospondin-1 in the regulation of the plasminogen/plasmin system and tumour cell invasion, we studied THBS-1-transfected MDA-MB-435 breast cancer cells that overexpress thrombospondin-1. The role of urokinase plasminogen receptor in thrombospondin-1-mediated adhesion and invasion was studied by antisense inhibition, enzymatic cleavage and antibody neutralization. Tumour cell adhesion to collagen and laminin was evaluated. Tumour cell invasion was studied in a modified Boyden chamber collagen invasion assay. Tumour cell thrombospondin-1 induced a 2-7 fold increase in urokinase plasminogen activator receptor and cell-associated urokinase plasminogen activator expression and a 50-65% increase in cell-associated urokinase plasminogen activator and plasmin activities. Furthermore, tumour cell thrombospondin-1 promoted tumour cell invasion and decreased tumour cell adhesion through up-regulation of urokinase plasminogen activator receptor-controlled urokinase plasminogen activator and plasmin activities. We conclude that tumour cell-produced thrombospondin-1 may play a critical role in the regulation of tumour cell adhesion and tumour cell invasion.     

213Bi-PAI2 conjugate selectively induces apoptosis in PC3 metastatic prostate cancer cell line and shows anti-cancer activity in a xenograft animal model

A novel alpha-particle emitting ((213)Bi) plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 construct, which targets the membrane-bound urokinase plasminogen activator on prostate cancer cells, was prepared and evaluated in vitro and in a xenograft animal model. The PC3 prostate cancer cell line expresses urokinase plasminogen activator which binds to its receptor on the cell membrane; plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 is bound to urokinase plasminogen activator/urokinase plasminogen activator receptor to form stable complexes. In vitro, the cytotoxicity of (213)Bi-plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 against prostate cancer cells was tested using the MTS assay and apoptosis was documented using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridinetriphosphate nick end-labelling (TUNEL) assay. In vivo, antiproliferative effects for tumours and prostate cancer lymph node metastasis were carried out in an athymic nude mouse model with a subcutaneous xenograft of PC3 cells. (213)Bi-plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 was specifically cytotoxic to PC3 cells in a concentration-dependent fashion, causing the cells to undergo apoptosis. A single local or i.p. injection of (213)Bi-plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 was able to completely regress the growth of tumours and lymph node metastases 2 days post subcutaneous inoculation, and obvious tumour regression was achieved in the therapy groups compared with control groups with (213)Bi-plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 when the tumours measured 30-40 mm(3) and 85-100 mm(3). All control animals and one of five (20%) mice treated with 3 mCi kg(-1) (213)Bi-plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 developed metastases in the lymph nodes while no lymphatic spread of cancer was found in the 6 mCi kg(-1) treated groups at 2 days and 2 weeks post-cell inoculation. These results demonstrate that this novel (213)Bi-plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 conjugate selectively targets prostate cancer in vitro and in vivo, and could be considered for further development for the therapy of prostate cancer, especially for the control of micro-metastases or in minimal residual disease.     

Role of proteolytic enzymes in human prostate bone metastasis formation: in vivo and in vitro studies

Prostate cancers ability to invade and grow in bone marrow stroma is thought to be due in part to degradative enzymes. The formation of prostate skeletal metastases have been reproduced in vitro by growing co-cultures of prostatic epithelial cells in bone marrow stroma. Expression of urokinase plasminogen activator, matrix metalloproteinase 1 and 7 by prostatic epithelial cells were identified using immunocytochemistry. Also, in vivo tissue sections from human prostatic bone marrow metastases were stained. To establish the role of these enzymes on colony formation, inhibitory antibodies directed against urokinase plasminogen activator, matrix metalloproteinase 1 and matrix metalloproteinase 7 were added into primary prostatic epithelial cells and bone marrow stroma co-cultures. All prostatic epithelial cell cultures stained positively for matrix metalloproteinase 1, matrix metalloproteinase 7 and urokinase plasminogen activator. Generally prostatic epithelial cells derived from malignant tissues showed increased staining in comparison to epithelia derived from non-malignant tissue. In agreement with in vitro co-cultures, the in vivo tissue sections of prostate bone marrow metastases showed positive staining for all three enzymes. Inhibition studies demonstrated that blocking matrix metalloproteinase 1, matrix metalloproteinase 7 and urokinase plasminogen activator function reduced the median epithelial colony area significantly in bone marrow stroma co-cultures in vitro. Using a human ex-vivo model we have shown that matrix metalloproteinase 1, matrix metalloproteinase 7 and urokinase plasminogen activator play an important role in the establishment of prostatic epithelial cells within bone marrow.     

UPA 系统在肿瘤患者中的检测意义及研究进展

肿瘤发生侵袭并最终转移，肿瘤细胞必须通过对基底膜及细胞外基质成分的附着、黏附和侵袭来穿透细胞和基质屏障。这个过程由细胞因子及生长因子严格调节，并需要肿瘤相关蛋白水解酶的表达。其中，一个重要的蛋白水解酶就是尿激酶系统。本文对该系统的成分，功能以及其在肿瘤中，尤其在乳腺癌，前列腺癌，胃肠道肿瘤中的作用及最新研究进展进行综述。     

Inhibition of urokinase plasminogen activator with a novel enzyme inhibitor, WXC-340, ameliorates endotoxin and surgery-accelerated growth of murine metastases

The urokinase plasminogen activator (u-PA) is intimately associated with tumour invasion and metastases. Surgery facilitates accelerated metastatic tumour growth in murine models, a phenomenon related to elevated perioperative bacterial lipopolysaccaride (LPS) and inflammatory cytokine levels. The objectives of the study were to examine the role of u-PA in cytokine-enhanced tumour cell invasion in vitro and surgery-induced accelerated metastatic tumour growth in vivo and to assess the potential benefit of a novel selective u-PA inhibitor WXC-340 in this setting. CT-26 murine colorectal carcinoma cells were stimulated with LPS, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin 6 (IL-6). Cell supernatant u-PA expression and activity were determined using a colorimetric assay and Western blot analysis, respectively. Baseline and cytokine-stimulated in vitro invasion were assessed using ECmatrix invasion chambers. Two established murine models of accelerated metastatic tumour growth were used to investigate the consequences of u-PA inhibition on postoperative metastatic tumour burden. The effect of u-PA inhibition in vitro and in vivo was examined using the novel selective u-PA inhibitor, WXC-340. Proinflammatory cytokine stimulation significantly enhanced in vitro u-PA expression, activity and extracellular matrix invasion by approximately 50% compared to controls (P<0.05). This was abrogated by WXC-340. In vivo WXC-340 almost completely ameliorated both LPS- and surgery-induced, metastatic tumour growth compared to controls (P>0.05). In conclusion, u-PA cascade is actively involved in cytokine-mediated enhanced tumour cell invasion and LPS and surgery-induced metastatic tumour growth. Perioperative u-PA inhibition with WXC-340 may represent a novel therapeutic paradigm.     

子宫颈癌患者尿激酶型纤溶酶原激活物和抑制物的表达及其临床意义的研究

目的 :研究纤溶酶原激活物和抑制物在子宫颈癌的发生、发展及侵袭转移过程中的规律及对临床的指导意义。方法 :采用ELISA法检测 4 2例子宫颈癌患者和 10例良性子宫肿瘤患者的血浆和组织中uPA和PAI 1含量 ,按良恶性、手术前后、临床分期和组织类型等分别进行对照分析。结果 :子宫颈癌患者血浆中uPA和PAI 1含量随临床分期的升高逐渐增加。宫颈癌患者血浆uPA和PAI 1含量术后显著降低。淋巴结转移组血浆uPA含量高于无转移组。癌组织中的uPA和PAI 1含量高于癌周组织。正常宫颈、宫颈上皮内瘤变、宫颈鳞癌组织uPA含量呈上升趋势。腺癌的组织uPA含量高于鳞状细胞癌组 ,PAI 1含量无差异。结论 :检测宫颈癌患者uPA和PAI 1含量可能对其侵犯范围、盆腔淋巴结转移情况、预后等有一定的参考价值     

Downregulation of urokinase plasminogen activator receptor expression inhibits Erk signalling with concomitant suppression of invasiveness due to loss of uPAR-beta1 integrin complex in colon cancer cells

Cancer invasion is regulated by cell surface proteinases and adhesion molecules. Interaction between specific cell surface molecules such as urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) and integrins is crucial for tumour invasion and metastasis. In this study, we examined whether uPAR and beta1 integrin form a functional complex to mediate signalling required for tumour invasion. We assessed the expression of uPAR/beta1 integrin complex, Erk signalling pathway, adhesion, uPA and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression, migration/invasion and matrix degradation in a colon cancer cell line in which uPAR expression was modified. Antisense inhibition of the cell surface expression of uPAR by 50% in human colon carcinoma HCT116 cells (A/S) suppressed Erk-MAP kinase activity by two-fold. Urokinase plasminogen activator receptor antisense treatment of HCT116 cells was associated with a 1.3-fold inhibition of adhesion, approximately four-fold suppression of HMW-uPA secretion and inhibition of pro-MMP-9 secretion. At a functional level, uPAR antisense resulted in a four-fold decline in migration/invasion and abatement of plasmin-mediated matrix degradation. In empty vector-transfected cells (mock), uPA strongly elevated basal Erk activation. In contrast, in A/S cells, uPA induction of Erk activation was not observed. Urokinase plasminogen activator receptor associated with beta1 integrin in mock-transfected cells. Disruption of uPAR-beta1 integrin complex in mock-transfected cells with a specific peptide (P25) inhibited uPA-mediated Erk-MAP kinase pathway and inhibited migration/invasion and plasmin-dependent matrix degradation through suppression of pro-MMP-9/MMP-2 expression. This novel paradigm of uPAR-integrin signalling may afford opportunities for alternative therapeutic strategies for the treatment of cancer.     

The role of urokinase-type plasminogen activator in aggressive tumor cell behavior

Summary The correlation between urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) expression and tumor cell invasion and metastasis has been well documented. Urokinase converts the zymogen plasminogen to plasmin, a trypsin-like enzyme with broad substrate specificities. Net uPA activity is determined not only by the amount of the enzyme itself, but also by its state of activation and the amount of specific plasminogen activator inhibitors (PAIs) present. Both uPA and its substrate, plasminogen, can bind to cells via specific membrane-associated receptors. Expression of uPA, uPA receptor (uPAR), and PAIs is regulated by growth factors, oncogenes, and other effector molecules. In the present review we discuss the interactions of uPA with its receptor, inhibitors, and substrate and how these interactions influence malignant behavior. We also review recent reports in which investigators have used anti-catalytic antibodies and/or gene transfection to demonstrate that uPA is directly involved in tumor cell invasion and metastasis.     

Both u-PA inhibition and vitronectin binding by plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 regulate HT1080 fibrosarcoma cell metastasis

Overexpression of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) reduces tumor cell migration in vitro and metastasis in mice in vivo by mechanisms involving either inhibition of urokinase plasminogen activator (u-PA) activity or competition for an integrin binding site on vitronectin. To analyze the effects of PAI-1 on tumor cell migration in vitro and metastasis in vivo, recombinant adenoviral vectors expressing wild-type or mutant PAI-1 proteins were constructed. The mutant PAI-1 proteins were defective in either vitronectin binding (PAI-1(VN-)), plasminogen activator inhibition (PAI-1(INH-)) or both (PAI-1(VN-,INH-)). In vitro, migration of HT1080 human fibrosarcoma cells through a reconstituted extracellular matrix (ECM) was reduced 73% by overexpression of wild-type PAI-1 and 65% by PAI-1(VN-) compared with control virus-infected cells. Migration of cells infected by virus expressing either PAI-1(INH-) or PAI-1(VN-,INH-) was unaffected, indicating a requirement for plasminogen activator inhibitory activity. In vivo, however, only overexpression of wild-type PAI-1 reduced the burden of metastasis by 68% compared with the control group. This indicates that both u-PA inhibition and PAI-1 ECM interactions contribute to the mechanism of PAI-1-mediated regulation of cell migration.     

Urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) in breast cancer - correlation with traditional prognostic factors

Background

Urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) play a key role in tumour invasion and metastasis. High levels of both proteolytic enzymes are associated with poor prognosis in breast cancer patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between traditional prognostic factors and uPA and PAI-1 expression in primary tumour of breast cancer patients.

Patients and methods.

606 primary breast cancer patients were enrolled in the prospective study in the Department of gynaecological oncology and breast oncology at the University Medical Centre Maribor between the years 2004 and 2010. We evaluated the traditional prognostic factors (age, menopausal status, tumour size, pathohistological type, histologic grade, lymph node status, lymphovascular invasion and hormone receptor status), together with uPA and PAI-1. We used Spearman’s rank correlation, Mann Whitney U test and χ² test for statistical analysis.

Results

Our findings indicate a positive correlation between uPA and tumour size (p < 0.001), grade (p < 0.001), histological type (p < 0.001), lymphovascular invasion (p = 0.01) and a negative correlation between uPA and hormone receptor status (p < 0.001). They also indicate a positive correlation between PAI-1 and tumour size (p = 0.004), grade (p < 0.001), pathohistological type (p < 0.001) and negative correlation between PAI-1 and hormone receptor status (p = 0.002).

Conclusions

Our study showed a relationship between uPA and PAI-1 and traditional prognostic factors. Their role as prognostic and predictive factors remains to be further evaluated.     

Prognostic significance of proteolytic enzymes in human brain tumors

Summary Proteases and their inhibitors have been shown to play roles in tumor invasion and metastasis in a number of experimental models. Recently, relative increases in the amounts of urokinase type plasminogen activator (uPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) in tumor samples have been correlated with poorer pathological grade, shorter disease-free interval, and shorter survival. To date, all studies investigating the prognostic significance of proteases and their inhibitors have been limited to extracranial cancer. In this article, we review the literature and present our data on the prognostic significance of proteases in human brain tumors. High levels of uPA were seen in malignant glioma and metastatic tumors (n=82), whereas normal levels of uPA were found in low-grade gliomas. Analysis with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a significant correlation between high levels of uPA and necrosis and edema (n=50; P < 0.05). Similarly, patients with high levels of uPA had shorter survival than did patients with low levels of uPA.Tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA), which was virtually absent in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), colon, lung, and breast metastasis, was found in normal quantities in anaplastic astrocytoma (AA), low-grade glioma (LGG), and meningioma. Melanoma had significantly more tPA activity than normal brain did. A reverse correlation was found between tPA and MRI findings of necrosis, enhancement, and edema. Similarly, patients with no detectable tPA activity had shorter survival than did patients with detectable tPA activity. We conclude that high levels of uPA and absent tPA activity correlate with histologically malignant brain tumors, aggressive characteristics, and shorter survival.     

Tissue extraction procedures for investigation of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and its inhibitors PAI-1 and PAI-2 in human breast carcinomas

Urokinase type plasminogen activator (uPA) and its inhibitors, plasminogen activator inhibitor type I (PAI-1) and type II (PAI-2), are supposed to be involved in the expression of the invasive and metastatic phenotype of cancer cells. However, clinical investigations on the prognostic significance of their levels in tumor tissue are difficult to realize because of the absence of a convenient method of measurement of these parameters.The aim of the present investigation was to set up a method allowing the measurement of these enzymes and of sex steroid receptor status in appropriate subcellular fraction(s) in conditions easily reproducible in routine.We found that a tissue homogenate prepared according to the method recommended [5] for current measurement of sex steroid receptors is appropriate for further distinct preparations. One aliquot is used for cytosol preparation; another can be treated by 2% Triton X-100 (vol/vol) and provide an extract containing the totality of uPA and PAI-1.The advantage of this procedure is that appropriate subcellular fractions can be derived from a unique homogenization step. Total uPA and PAI-1 are measured in a Triton extract with good performance as compared to previous investigations [4]. PAI-2 is measured in the same cytosol fraction used for sex steroid receptors and other parameters.Because of its simplicity and its high reliability, this method could be a useful tool in the investigation of uPA family proteases and analysis of their prognostic significance in early breast tumors.     

Expression of urokinase plasminogen activator, its receptor and type-1 inhibitor in malignant and benign prostate tissue

The plasminogen activation (PA) cascade participates in degradation of extracellular matrix during cancer invasion. We have studied the expression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) mRNA, uPA receptor (uPAR) mRNA and immunoreactivity, and type-1 plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) mRNA and immunoreactivity in 16 prostate adenocarcinomas and 9 benign prostate hyperplasias. uPA mRNA and uPAR mRNA expression were found in 9 and 8 of the adenocarcinomas, respectively, and in 7 and 6 of the benign hyperplasias, respectively. In both malignant and benign lesions, expression of these 2 mRNAs was predominantly seen in cells identified as macrophages, which in most of the carcinomas (approximately 90%) were located in the interstitial tissue between the tumor cell islands, while in most of the benign hyperplasias they were located in the lumen of the glands and were in only a few cases (approximately 30%) found in the interstitial tissue. uPAR immunoreactivity correlated with the mRNA expression and was, in addition, found in neutrophils. PAI-1 mRNA was detected in 13 of the 16 carcinomas and in 8 of the 9 benign hyperplasias, located in scattered fibroblast-like cells in both groups, in some vascular structures and in a few macrophages located in the interstitial tissue of both malignant and benign lesions. A similar expression pattern was found for PAI-1 immunoreactivity. In 8 of the 16 carcinomas, all 3 components were present, and in several areas colocalization was observed in stromal cells in close proximity to cancer cell islands. No immunoreactivity and/or mRNA expression of uPA, uPAR or PAI-1 was observed in cancer cells or in other epithelial cells in any of the cases.     

甲状腺癌组织中尿激酶型纤溶酶原激活物和抑制物的表达及其临床意义

目的 :研究纤溶酶原激活物 (uPA)和抑制物 (PAI 1)在甲状腺癌组织中的不同表达 ,总结其在甲状腺癌的发生、发展及侵袭转移过程中的规律和对临床的指导意义。方法 :采用酶联免疫吸附 (ELISA)法检测 4 2例甲状腺癌和 30例良性甲状腺肿瘤组织及正常甲状腺组织中uPA和PAI 1含量 ,从良恶性、临床分期、病理类型等不同方面分别进行对照分析 ,比较其有无差异。结果 :甲状腺瘤组织的uPA含量高于正常甲状腺组织 (P <0 0 5 ) ,PAI 1含量和正常甲状腺组织比较无显著性差异 (P >0 0 5 )。甲状腺癌组织中uPA和PAI 1含量明显高于良性甲状腺肿瘤和癌旁组织 (P <0 0 1) ,且和临床分期呈正相关 (r分别为 0 72 3和 0 795 ,P <0 0 5 )。周围淋巴结转移组的uPA和PAI 1含量明显高于无转移组 (P <0 0 5 )。未分化癌的uPA和PAI 1含量高于乳头状癌和滤泡状癌 (P <0 0 5 ) ,乳头状癌和滤泡状癌uPA值和PAI 1含量比较无显著性差异 (P >0 0 5 ) ,髓样癌的uPA值和PAI 1的含量最低。结论 :检测组织中uPA和PAI 1含量可能对甲状腺癌的侵犯范围、淋巴结转移情况及预后估计等有一定的参考价值     

Activities,localizations, and roles of serine proteases and their inhibitors in human brain tumor progression

Summary The plasminogen activation system consists of plasminogen activators and their inhibitors, serine proteases, and serpins. The proteases and inhibitors regulate a variety of processes in tissue morphogenesis, differentiation, cell migration, and cancer cell invasiveness and metastasis. One of the plasminogen activators, urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), binds to a specific surface and provides a localized cell surface proteolytic activity required for the destruction of extracellular matrix, which is a vital step in tumor cell invasion. The proteolytic activity of uPA is modulated by its cell surface receptor, as well as by plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) and, to a lesser degree, by other inhibitors.The role of plasminogen activators and their inhibitors in cancer invasion can be demonstrated in the development and progression of malignant brain tumors. Our findings indicate that uPA and PAI-1 expression are dramatically upregulated in malignant brain tumors in parallel with the histological progression of the tumors. The results suggest that these molecules may contribute to tumor invasion in addition to their significant role in angiogenesis. An evaluation of the plasminogen activation system could add diagnostic and prognostic significance to the evaluation of individual patients.     

Urokinase and macrophages in tumour angiogenesis.

Recent studies have shown that elevated levels of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) in breast cancer correlate with an increased risk of a reduced relapse-free survival time and shortened overall survival times. Urokinase PA and PAI-1 are independent prognostic indicators for breast cancer. The fact that plasminogen activators are indispensable for tube formation of microvascular cells and that they may induce angiogenesis in vitro strongly suggests a role for uPA and PAI-1 in tumour neovascularisation. Because macrophages and tumour cells produce uPA, we postulate a close collaboration between tumour cells and tumour-associated macrophages in angiogenesis. To investigate how uPA levels and macrophage counts in tumour tissue correlate with angiogenesis, we counted microvessels and determined uPA levels and macrophage content in 42 primary invasive breast carcinomas. Using light microscopy, we highlighted the vessels by staining their endothelium cells immunocytochemically for CD31 and factor VIII and the macrophages for CD68. After obtaining tumour tissue extracts, we determined the uPA and PAI-1 levels by ELISA. A positive correlation between microvessel density, vascular invasion, uPA level, macrophage content and proliferation rate was found.     

UTI抑制骨肉瘤细胞侵袭与转移的实验研究

目的体外研究尿胰蛋白酶抑制剂(urinary trypsininhibitor,UTI)抑制人骨肉瘤细胞系MG-63细胞的侵袭与转移。方法在体外培养的MG-63细胞培养基中加入不同浓度的UTI,对照组中加入50μl PBS缓冲液,用免疫组化、RT-PCR和Western blot方法检测尿激酶型纤溶酶原激活物(urokinasetype plasminogen activator,UPA)的表达情况。结果免疫组化染色、RT-PCR及Western blot检测发现随着UTI浓度的逐渐增加,UPA表达量逐渐减少,当UTI浓度增加到100nM时,抑制作用明显(P<0.05),并且呈剂量依赖性。结论UTI不但从mRNA水平,而且从蛋白质水平抑制骨肉瘤细胞表达UPA,从而抑制骨肉瘤细胞侵袭与转移。     

Dedifferentiation of serous ovarian cancer from cystic to solid tumors is associated with increased expression of mRNA for urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), its receptor (uPAR) and its inhibitor (PAI-1)

The plasminogen activating system is involved in tumor growth and metastasis by degradation of extracellular matrix, and modulation of cell adhesion and migration. Benign and well-differentiated malignant ovarian tumors present as cystic lesions with preserved glandular morphology, whereas poorly differentiated tumors and metastases are solid with characteristic absence of glandular morphology. We analyzed the mRNAs for urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), its receptor (uPAR), and inhibitor (PAI-1) in serous ovarian tumors by in situ hybridization and by densitometric scanning of Northern blots prepared from tissue extracts. The mRNA expressing cells in the in situ hybridization sections were evaluated and counted by two different observers. The number of mRNA expressing cells for uPA, uPAR and PAI-1 were all significantly increased in solid as compared with cystic malignant tumors. The increased expression of all three mRNA species was mainly located in the stroma of poorly differentiated tumors and metastases. Apart from being expressed in the stroma of these tumors, uPAR mRNA was also expressed by tumor cells located along the stromal/epithelial boarder. In addition, the tumor tissue content of uPA, uPAR and PAI-1 mRNAs as measured by Northern blots were higher in the solid as compared with the cystic tumors. Increased expression of uPA, uPAR and PAI-1 genes in the solid tumors suggest a correlation with a more aggressive phenotype.