Tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase‐1 expression in colorectal cancer liver metastases is associated with vascular structures

Metastatic growth by colorectal cancer cells in the liver requires the ability of the cancer cells to interact with the new microenvironment. This interaction results in three histological growth patterns of liver metastases: desmoplastic, pushing, and replacement. In primary colorectal cancer several proteases, involved in the degradation of extracellular matrix components, are up‐regulated. In liver metastases, their expression is growth pattern dependent. Tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase‐1 (TIMP‐1) is a strong prognostic marker in plasma from colorectal cancer patients, with significant higher levels in patients with metastatic disease. We therefore wanted to determine the expression pattern of TIMP‐1 in primary colorectal cancers and their matching liver metastases. TIMP‐1 mRNA was primarily seen in α‐smooth‐muscle actin (α‐SMA)‐positive cells. In all primary tumors and liver metastases with desmoplastic growth pattern, TIMP‐1 mRNA was primarily found in α‐SMA‐positive myofibroblasts located at the invasive front. Some α‐SMA‐positive cells with TIMP‐1 mRNA were located adjacent to CD34‐positive endothelial cells, identifying them as pericytes. This indicates that TIMP‐1 in primary tumors and liver metastases with desmoplastic growth pattern has dual functions; being an MMP‐inhibitor at the cancer periphery and involved in tumor‐induced angiogenesis in the pericytes. In the liver metastases with pushing or replacement growth patterns, TIMP‐1 was primarily expressed by activated hepatic stellate cells at the metastasis/liver parenchyma interface. These cells were located adjacent to CD34‐positive endothelial cells, suggesting a function in tumor‐induced angiogenesis. We therefore conclude that TIMP‐1 expression is growth pattern dependent in colorectal cancer liver metastases. © 2015 The Authors. Molecular Carcinogenesis published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

肺癌组织中MMP-9及TIMP-1的表达与转移、预后相关性研究

目的 探讨MMP—9及其抑制剂TIMP—1在人肺癌中的表达及其与肺癌转移、预后的相关性，分析肺癌发生、发展、侵袭和转移的机制。方法 应用免疫组化S—P法检测65例肺癌、35例其他肺部疾患病变支气管粘膜增生及不典型增生上皮和30例正常支气管粘膜上皮组织中MMP—9和TIMP—1的蛋白表达。结果 肺癌与正常、增生上皮相比，增生与正常上皮相比，MMP—9和TIMP—1阳性表达率的升高均具有显著性(P＜0．05)。不同组织学类型中MMP—9的阳性表达有显著性差异(P＜0．025)；MMP—9的阳性表达与肺癌细胞分化程度负相关(P＜0．05)，与TNM分期正相关(P＜0．025)。生存期小于2年者的MMP—9和TIMP—1阳性表达率显著高于生存期大于或等于2年者(P＜0．05)。MMP—9阳性表达上调与肺癌转移相关(P＜0．005)，TIMP—1与转移无关。结论 MMP—9阳性表达上调可出现在癌前病变及肺癌发病的早期阶段，MMP—9基因激活可能是肺癌癌变的重要因素；MMP—9、TIMP—1在肺肿瘤浸润转移中发挥重要作用，其过度表达可作为评估肺癌浸润转移和预后不良的参考指标。     

卵巢上皮性肿瘤中基质金属蛋白酶MMP-9及其组织抑制剂TIMP-1 mRNA的表达及意义

目的:探讨基质金属蛋白酶(MMP-9)及其组织抑制物(TIMP-1)mRNA与卵巢上皮性癌的发生、发展及侵袭、转移的关系.方法:采用RT-PCR技术检测38例卵巢上皮性癌、15例卵巢交界性上皮性肿瘤、16例卵巢良性上皮性肿瘤及11例正常卵巢组织中MMP-9及TIMP-1 mRNA的表达,并分析其与各临床病理参数的关系.结果:MMP-9 mRNA在卵巢上皮性癌及卵巢交界性上皮性肿瘤组织中的阳性表达率分别为76%、44%及表达水平(分别为154.14±4.42,96.87±3.04)均显著高于卵巢良性上皮性肿瘤及正常卵巢组织(分别为13%,9%和8.26±2.67,2.341.02;P均＜0.05);且MMP-9mRNA在晚期卵巢上皮性癌组织中的阳性表达率和表达水平明显高于早期(P＜0.05).TIMP-1 mRNA在卵巢上皮性癌及卵巢交界性上皮性肿瘤组织中的阳性表达率(分别为68%,38%)及表达水平(分别为126.35±3.81,90.62±5.54)均显著高于卵巢良性上皮性肿瘤及正常卵巢组织(分别为13%,9%和8.32±2.02,2.63±1.35;P均＜0.05);TIMP-1mRNA在卵巢上皮性癌组织中的阳性表达率和表达水平与各临床病理参数均无相关性(P＞0.05).结论:MMP-9mRNA的高表达及MMP-9/TIMP-1平衡的调节失衡导致卵巢上皮性肿瘤的发生、发展;MMP-9mRNA的高表达对卵巢上皮性癌的预后有意义.     

Amphiregulin and Epiregulin mRNA expression in primary colorectal cancer and corresponding liver metastases

Background

A single nucleotide polymorphism located in the 3'-untranslated region of the KRAS oncogene (KRAS variant; rs61764370) disrupts a let-7 miRNA binding and was recently reported to act as a genetic marker for increased risk of developing human cancers. We aimed to investigate an association of the KRAS variant with sporadic and familial breast cancer and breast tumor characteristics.

Methods

Genotyping was accomplished in 530 sporadic postmenopausal breast cancer cases, 165 familial breast cancer cases (including N = 29, who test positive for BRCA1/2 mutations) and 270 postmenopausal control women using the flurogenic 5' nuclease assay. Information on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) use and tumor characteristics in sporadic breast cancer cases was ascertained from a postal questionnaire and pathology reports, respectively. Associations between the KRAS genotype and breast cancer or breast tumor characteristics were assessed using chi-square test and logistic regression models.

Results

No evidence of association was observed between the KRAS variant and risk of sporadic and familial breast cancer - either among BRCA carriers or non-BRCA carriers. The KRAS variant was statistically significantly more often associated with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) - positive tumors and tumors of higher histopathologic grade. However, both associations were detected only in HRT users.

Conclusion

Our data do not support the hypothesis that the KRAS variant rs61764370 is implicated in the aetiology of sporadic or of familial breast cancer. In postmenopausal women using HRT, the KRAS variant might lead to HER2 overexpressed and poorly-differentiated breast tumors, both indicators of a worse prognosis.     

Prevention of liver metastasis of human colon cancer by selective matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor MMI-166.

MMI-166 is a selective inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9. Mice implanted a human colon cancer orthotopically received 200 mg/kg of MMI-166 orally for 5 weeks. Gelatin zymography demonstrated that the administration of MMI-166 remarkably decreased the active MMP-2 expression. Histological examination revealed that MMI-166 showed prominent effect on reduction of the invasive feature of the cancer cells and showed inhibitory effect on tumor vasculature, resulting in the significant decrease of microvessel density of the implanted tumor and liver metastasis compared with the control group. Conclusively, MMI-166 is a potent antiangiogenic oral agent for a human colon cancer.     

Therapeutic effect of the matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor, batimastat, in a human colorectal cancer ascites model.

The matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor batimastat was administered to a human colorectal cancer ascites model, which was initiated by injection of C170HM2 cells into the peritoneal cavity of SCID mice and resulted in solid tumour deposits and ascites formation. The cell line expressed both the 72 and 92 kDa forms of gelatinase by zymography. Batimastat administered from day 0 (40 mg kg-1) reduced the volume of ascites to 21% of control in mice treated from day 0 (P < 0.002) but not day 10. Formation of solid peritoneal deposits was significantly reduced to 77% of vehicle control when batimastat was administered from day 0 (P < 0.01) and 69% of control when administered from day 10 (P < 0.05). Thus, batimastat has the ability to reduce the volume of ascites forming in SCID mice injected intraperitoneally with the human colorectal cell line, C170HM2, when administered from day 0 but not from day 10. Solid peritoneal tumour deposits were significantly reduced in both treatment groups, highlighting the therapeutic potential of batimastat in this clinical condition.     

Circulating gelatinases and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 in colorectal cancer metastatic liver disease.

AIMS: The degradation of the extracellular matrix is intrinsic to the invasion and progression of cancer. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9 and their natural inhibitors are involved in this process. The study aims to investigate if plasma MMP-2, -9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) can be useful markers in the diagnosis and prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) metastatic liver disease. METHODS: Fifty-seven patients undergoing liver metastasis operation were followed prospectively. ProMMP-2, -9 and TIMP-1 plasma levels were determined by zymography and ELISA, before and after the resection of liver metastases. Data were compared with those of healthy controls (n=51) and primary CRC patients (n=94). The diagnostic and prognostic potential was investigated with ROC-curves and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. RESULTS: Plasma proMMP-2 levels were lower (P<0.001), and TIMP-1 levels higher (P<0.001) in CRC metastatic liver disease than in healthy controls. If compared to those in primary CRC patients, no differences were found. In ROC-curves, the area under the curve was 0.48 and 0.61 for proMMP-2 and -9, respectively. Plasma proMMP-2, -9 and TIMP-1 levels were unsuitable to predict survival. In both diagnostic and prognostic examinations, CEA proved to be a better marker. In the postoperative follow-up, protracted low levels of proMMP-2 seemed related to disease recurrence. CONCLUSION: The preoperative plasma proMMP-2, -9 and TIMP-1 levels have no potential value as diagnostic or prognostic markers in CRC liver metastatic disease.     

Unique activation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 within human liver metastasis from colorectal cancer.

Experimental in vitro and animal data support an important role for matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in cancer invasion and metastasis via proteolytic degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Our previous data have shown that MMP-9 mRNA is localized to the interface between liver metastasis and normal liver tissue, indicating that MMP-9 may play an important role in liver metastasis formation. In the present study, we analysed the cellular enzymatic expression of MMP-9 in 18 human colorectal cancer (CRC) liver metastasis specimens by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and zymography. ELISA analysis reveals that the latent form of MMP-9 is present in both liver metastasis and paired adjacent normal liver tissue. The mean level of the latent form of MMP-9 is 580+/-270 ng per mg total tissue protein (mean+/-s.e.) in liver metastasis vs 220+/-90 in normal liver tissue. However, this difference is not significantly different (P = 0.26). Using gelatin zymography, the 92-kDa band representative of the latent form is present in both liver metastasis and normal liver tissue. However, the 82 kDa band, representative of the active form of MMP-9, was seen only in liver metastasis. This was confirmed by Western blot analysis. Our observation of the unique presence of the active form of MMP-9 within liver metastasis suggests that proMMP-9 activation may be a pivotal event during CRC liver metastasis formation.     

Serum levels and tissue expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 2 (TIMP-2) in colorectal cancer patients

The objective of the study was the assessment of serum levels and tissue expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases 2 (TIMP-2) in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). The study included 72 CRC patients and 68 healthy subjects. The serum levels of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method, whereas tissue expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in cancer cells, interstitial inflammatory cells, and adjacent normal colorectal mucosa were examined by immunohistochemical staining of tumor samples. The serum levels of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in cancer patients were significantly lower than those in control group, but the percentage of positive immunoreactivity of these proteins were higher in malignant and inflammatory cells as compared to normal tissue. There was a significant correlation between MMP-2 immunoreactivity in inflammatory cells and the presence of distant metastases and between TIMP-2 expression in inflammatory cells and tumor size, nodal involvement, and distant metastases. Area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) for serum MMP-2 was higher than for serum TIMP-2. Moreover, positive tissue expression of MMP-2 was a significant prognostic factor for CRC patients’ survival. Our findings suggest that MMP-2 and TIMP-2 might play a role in the process of colorectal cancer invasion and metastasis, but the significance of their interactions with tumor stroma and interstitial inflammatory infiltration in colorectal neoplasia require further elucidation.     

Matrix metalloproteinase 9 expression and prognosis in colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is an important member of the matrix metalloproteinase family and is considered to be involved in the invasion and metastasis of cancer cells. Many studies were published to assess the prognostic role of MMP-9 overexpression in patients with colorectal cancer, but the findings from those studies were inconsistent. We searched eligible studies in Pubmed, Embase, and Web of Science databases. Thirteen studies with a total of 2, 390 CRC patients were finally included into the meta-analysis. The pooled hazard ratios (HRs) with the corresponding 95 % confidence interval (95 % CIs) for overall and progression-free survival were calculated by using meta-analysis. There were nine studies with a total of 1,674 colorectal cancer patients relating the progression-free survival, and eight studies with a total of 1,379 colorectal cancer patients relating the overall survival. Overall, MMP-9 overexpression was associated with poorer progression-free survival in patients with colorectal cancer (fixed-effects HR 1.81, 95 % CI 1.48–2.20, P?<?0.001; random-effects HR 1.92, 95 % CI 1.46–2.53, P?<?0.001). In addition, MMP-9 overexpression was also associated with poorer overall survival in patients with colorectal cancer (fixed-effects HR 1.74, 95 % CI 1.39–2.19, P?<?0.001; random-effects HR 1.78, 95 % CI 1.31–2.41, P?<?0.001). MMP-9 expression is associated with the prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer, and patients with higher MMP-9 expression have poorer survival.     

Significance of membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase expression in breast cancer.

Expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) plays an essential role in tumor metastasis and invasion through the degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM). MT1-MMP (membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase), a membrane-type MMP, is responsible for the activation of MMP2. In this study the significance of MT1-MMP expression in human breast tumors was investigated by immunocytochemical assay, and its correlation with clinicobiological features was analyzed. MT1-MMP expression was detected in tumor cells and/or stromal cells, and there was a strong correlation between the expressions of MT1-MMP in the two cell types. Out of 183 primary tumors, 103 (56.2%) showed positive staining of MT1-MMP in tumor cells. MT1-MMP expression showed no significant correlation with any of the clinicobiological parameters examined, including hormone receptor status and angiogenesis. In postoperative survival analysis, MT1-MMP expression itself was not a significant prognostic factor. However, in the particular subgroup with the accumulation of thymidine phosphorylase (TP)-positive stromal cells, which have been activated by various stimuli, such as cytokines and hypoxia, MT1-MMP expression had a significant prognostic value. These data suggested that MT1-MMP might function cooperatively with tumor-associated stromal cells for the progression of breast cancer.     

乳腺癌中MTA1、MMP-9 mRNA表达与临床病理研究

目的:探讨MTA1、MMP-9 mRNA表达量与乳腺癌淋巴转移的关系及临床意义,初步探讨MTA1、MMP-9 mRNA之间的关系.方法:采用免疫组化法对45例侵润性乳腺导管癌中MTA1表达进行检测,原位杂交法对MMP-9 mRNA表达进行检测.结果:乳腺癌中MTA1、MMP-9 mRNA(肿瘤细胞)、MMP-9 mRNA(间质细胞)阳性表达率为71%、49%、58%.MTA1与淋巴结转移相关,与年龄、肿瘤大小、ER、PR、c-erbB-2无相关性;MTA1蛋白定位变化与乳腺癌淋巴结转移相关(P<0.05); MMP-9 mRNA(肿瘤细胞)与临床病理特征均无相关性;MMP-9 mRNA(间质细胞)与淋巴结转移正相关(P<0.05),与PR呈负相关(P<0.05); MTA1阴性时肿瘤细胞内MMP-9 mRNA表达率为38%,MTA1阳性时MMP-9 mRNA表达率为50%,无显著性差异.结论:MTA1高表达促进乳腺癌细胞的淋巴结转移,MTA1蛋白定位变化与乳腺癌淋巴结转移相关;MTA1的过度表达可能是导致肿瘤细胞内MMP-9 mRNA表达下降的因素.     

基质金属蛋白酶和组织金属蛋白酶抑制剂表达失衡与胃癌浸润转移的关系

背景和目的：基质金属蛋白酶－9（matrix metalloproteinase-9,MMP-9)及其相应的组织金属蛋白酶抑制剂－1（tissue inhibifor of metalloproteinase-1 TIMP-1)在肿瘤细胞浸润和转移过程中起重要的调节作用,本研究观察二者在胃癌中的共表达情况,探讨其表达失衡与胃癌浸润转移和预后的关系。方法：应用免疫组化方法检测256例胃癌细胞MMP－9、TIMP－1和细胞增殖核抗原Ki-67的表达,并行回顾性随访。结果：胃癌侵及肌层以上者的MMP－9表达（70．13％）明显高于胃癌仅限于粘膜及粘膜下层者（42．50％,P＜0．05）,MMP－9表达与肿瘤细胞增殖指数、淋巴结转移呈正相关,TNM分期高者MMP－9表达（75．00％）高于TNM分期低者（46．15％,P＜0．05）;TIMP－1的表达与胃癌浸润程度、淋巴结转移及TNM分期呈负相关（Pearson列联系数分别为0．1688,0．3556和0．3004,P＜0．05）。胃癌组织中MMP－9和TIMP－1表达失衡有4种类型,其中MMP－9表达超过TIMP－1者胃癌发生浆膜浸润、淋巴结转移的比例明显高于TIMP－1表达超过MMP－9者或二者表达平衡者（P＜0．05）,而术后胃癌患者的生存率情况则相反,MMP－9表达超过TIMP－1者术后生存率明显低于TIMP－1表达超过MMP－9者（P＜0．05）。结论：MMP－9阳性表达与胃癌浸润转移呈正相关,而TIMP－1阳性表达与胃癌浸润转移呈负相关,二者在胃癌浸润转移中的关系表现为MMP－9促进肿瘤转移为主,TIMP－1对胃癌有独立的抑制作用,MMP－9阳性表达而TIMP－1阴性表达者提示胃癌患者预后不良。     

FAK alternative splice mRNA variants expression pattern in colorectal cancer

The Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a ubiquitous cytoplasmic tyrosine-kinase promoting tumor progression and metastasis processes by acting in cancer cells and their tumor microenvironment partners. FAK overexpression in primary colon tumors and their metastasis is associated to poor colorectal cancer (CRC) patients’ outcome. Eight FAK mRNA alternative splice variants have been described and contribute to additional level of FAK activity regulation, some of them corresponding to overactivated FAK isoforms. To date, FAK mRNA alternative splice variants expression and implication in CRC processes remain unknown. Here, using different human CRC cells lines displaying differential invasive capacities in an in vivo murine model recapitulating the different steps of CRC development from primary tumors to liver and lung metastasis, we identified three out of the eight mRNA variants (namely FAK⁰, FAK²⁸ and FAK⁶) differentially expressed along the CRC process and the tumor sites. Our results highlight an association between FAK⁰ and FAK⁶ expressions and the metastatic potential of the most aggressive cell lines HT29 and HCT116, suggesting that FAK⁰ and FAK⁶ could represent aggressiveness markers in CRC. Our findings also suggest a more specific role for FAK²⁸ in the interactions between the tumors cells and their microenvironment. In conclusion, targeting FAK⁰, the common form of FAK, might not be a good strategy based on the numerous roles of this kinase in physiological processes. In contrast, FAK⁶ or FAK²⁸ splice variants, or their corresponding protein isoforms, may putatively represent future therapeutic target candidates in the development of CRC primary tumors and metastasis.     

Effect of phorbol ester and cytokines on matrix metalloproteinase and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase expression in tumor and normal cell lines.

The effect of the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and the cytokines interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) on matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and metalloproteinase inhibitors was studied in a variety of human cell lines. Expression of the mammalian collagenase (MMP-1), 72-kD gelatinase/type IV collagenase (MMP-2), stromelysin (MMP-3), 92-kD gelatinase/type IV collagenase (MMP-9), and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2) was assessed by zymography and Northern blot analysis. MMP-2 and TIMP-2 activities were refractory to TPA, IL-1 and TNF-alpha treatment in most of the cell lines. In contrast, MMP-3, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 activities were markedly stimulated by TPA in most of the tumor cell lines and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), whereas the fibroblast lines were minimally stimulated or unresponsive to TPA. The MMP-3, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 stimulation in response to IL-1 and TNF-alpha treatment was detected in some of the tumor cell lines and HUVEC. The increase in activity was less marked than in TPA. A breast carcinoma cell line, MDA-MB-231, which did not express MMP-2, had high expression of MMP-3 and MMP-9 which were unaffected by TPA and cytokine treatment. Northern blot analysis of MMP and TIMP mRNA expression reflected the zymogram findings for most of the cell lines. TPA-mediated stimulation of MMP-1 was similar to that of MMP-3 and MMP-9. Exceptions were the fibroblast cell lines which showed either a much more marked mRNA response of MMP-9 to TPA than observed at protein level, or a high constitutive MMP-9 mRNA when MMP-9 activity was not detectable by zymography. TPA-mediated stimulation of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 activity was blocked by staurosporine, an inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC). A non-PKC-activating phorbol ester, 4 alpha-phorbol-12,13-didecanoate, did not stimulate MMP-9 and TIMP-1 activity. TPA treatment caused the increased expression of c-fos containing AP-1-specific binding activity in selected tumor cell lines. This activity was maximal at 6 h. An association was observed between AP-1 binding activity and increased expression of MMP-1, MMP-3 and MMP-9, which possess TPA-responsive elements (TRE). TPA-sensitive MMPs and TIMP-1 were variably stimulated by biologically relevant cytokines, such as IL-1 and TNF-alpha.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)