SV40-transformed Human Lung Fibroblasts Secrete a 92-kDa Type IV Collagenase Which Is Identical to That Secreted by Normal Human Macrophages

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (92 kDa gelatinase/type IV collagenase) from U937 monoblastoid cells: correlation with cellular invasion

The role of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9, 92 kDa gelatinase/type IV collagenase) in invasion of mononuclear phagocytes was studied with U937 monoblastoid cells. 12-o-tetradecanoyl 13-phorbol acetate (TPA) differentiated them to macrophage-like cells with induction of MMP-9, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) stimulated the production of MMP-9 by TPA-treated cells. TNF alpha also induced the production of MMP-9 by TPA-untreated U937 cells without morphological differentiation. Other agents including dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), all-trans-retinoic acid (all-trans-RA), platelet-derived growth factor and 3′;5′-cyclic monophosphate had no effects on MMP-9 production by TPA-treated or -untreated cells, but all-trans-RA and DMSO did have a morphological effect on the differentiation of the cells. These data suggest that MMP-9 production by U937 cells is regulated by a mechanism independent of the differentiation to macrophage-like cells. MMP-9 was purified to homogeneity as an inactive zymogen with M(r) 92,000 (proMMP-9) from TPA-differentiated U937 cells treated with TNF alpha. ProMMP-9 was activated by p-aminophenylmercuric acetate (APMA) generating an active species of M(r) 67,000. Trypsin and cathepsin G also attained activation of the zymogen to its full activity obtained by APMA activation, but plasmin, leukocyte elastase, thrombin and plasma kallikrein had no ability to activate it. APMA-activated MMP-9 degraded type I gelatin readily and cleaved native collagen types III, IV and V. Invasion assays using reconstituted basement membrane coupled with a type IV collagenolysis assay showed good correlations between invasiveness, type IV collagenolysis and proMMP-9 production. Invasion was significantly inhibited by EDTA, alpha 2-macroglobulin and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1, but not by inhibitors of cathepsin G and leukocyte elastase. These data suggest that MMP-9 plays an important role in the invasion of mononuclear phagocytes through basement membranes.

Isolation and characterization of a high molecular weight type IV collagenase isolated from human carcinoma tissue

A proform of high molecular weight type IV collagenase was isolated and purified 1230-fold from human metastatic carcinoma tissue. Like matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), the enzyme was activated by trypsin and degraded type IV collagen and gelatin at a neutral pH, the activity was inhibited by EDTA and o-phenanthroline. However, the molecular weight was much higher than MMPs which degraded type IV collagen, gelatinase A (MMP-2; 72 kDa gelatinase/type IV collagenase) (EC 3.4.24.24), gelatinase B (MMP-9; 92 kDa gelatinase/type IV collagenase) (EC 3.4.24.35), stromelysin-1 (MMP-3; 57 kDa) (EC 3.4.24.17) and stromelysin-2 (MMP-10; 57 kDa) (EC 3.4.24.22). The other significant difference from MMPs was that the enzyme was not activated by 4-aminophenylmercuric acetate nor inhibited by TIMP. Taking together these results, this high molecular weight type IV collagenase might be a newly found enzyme different from MMPs or might have the same configuration as MMPs already reported.

Expression of interstitial collagenase, 92-kDa gelatinase, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 in granuloma annulare and necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum

Granuloma annular (GA) and necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum (NLD) are disorders characterized by granulomatous inflammation and degenerative changes in collagen and elastic fibers. Because these disorders have often been described as being associated with altered extracellular matrix deposition, we studied the in situ expression of interstitial collagenase, 92-kDa gelatinase, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1. Twelve lesions each of GA and NLD of different histopathologic types and durations were examined. Interstitial collagenase mRNA was seen in histiocyte-like cells in one-third of the cases of both diseases, typically in younger lesions. In GA, collagenase mRNA was only detected in lesions of the palisading type. Signal for 92-kDa gelatinase mRNA was observed in eosinophils, which were present in low numbers in five of 12 GA and three of 12 NLD samples. The signal for this enzyme and the presence of eosinophils did not correlate with the age of lesion. TIMP-1 mRNA was consistently expressed by histiocyte-like cells in both disorders. In GA, TIMP-1 mRNA was detected at the outer edge of the palisading granulomas, but in NLD, inhibitor expression was seen in the perivascular and periadnexal accumulation of inflammatory cells. Our data indicate that collagenase and TIMP are expressed early in these disorders and that these proteins may contribute to stromal remodeling associated with necrobiotic lesions. Our results further indicate that the localization of TIMP-1 production may provide a distinction between the two disorders, whereas metalloproteinase expression is not sufficiently specific to aid in the differential diagnosis of GA and NLD.

Differential regulation of gelatinase B and tissue-type plasminogen activator expression in human Bowes melanoma cells

A comparison of the production of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) and gelatinases A and B was made at the mRNA and protein levels in human Bowes melanoma cells treated with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). Immunocytochemical analysis confirmed previous quantitative data on PMA-mediated induction of t-PA. It also showed that t-PA immunoreactivity can be restrained to the local environment of the producing cell, most probably by interaction with extracellular matrix components. Zymographical analysis showed that gelatinase B protein was induced by PMA, whereas gelatinase A remained at the constitutive level. Protein kinase C (PKC) appeared to be involved in this regulation since, after PMA treatment (1) the PKC activity was found to be translocated from the cytosol to the particulate fraction of the cells and (2) addition of staurosporine and H-7 blocked the gelatinase B increase. Northern-blot hybridization showed a transient rise in t-PA and gelatinase B mRNA levels whereas gelatinase A mRNA levels remained unchanged. When c-fos and c-jun mRNAs were investigated, only that of c-fos was affected by PMA. Activation by PMA can be kinetically ordered as follows: translocation of PKC to the membrane fraction, transcription of the c-fos gene and eclipsing of gelatinase B mRNA, increase in steady-state mRNA levels of t-PA and gelatinase B and, finally, secretion of t-PA and gelatinase B glycoproteins. Our data also suggest that various proteases that are known to cooperate in the remodeling of the extracellular matrix can be differently regulated in one tumor-cell type.

Localization of 92-kDa type IV collagenase in human skin tumors: comparison with normal human fetal and adult skin

To investigate the role of secreted metalloproteinases in the behavior of skin tumors we have studied immunoreactivity for 92-kDa type IV collagenase (92T4Cl) in benign tumors of sweat glands, basal cell carcinomas (BCC), baso-squamous cell carcinomas (BSCC), and squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). In all tumors, the enzyme was found in stromal cells, but not in tumor epithelium. 92T4Cl-positive cells contained the common leukocyte antigen HLe-1(CD45) and the polymorphonuclear leukocyte-specific antigen PMN-8C7. Only a few 92T4Cl-positive cells expressed either macrophage-specific Leu-M5 or eosinophil-specific cationic protein antigens. In benign sweat gland tumors, and in the majority of nodulocystic and adenoid BCCs, 92T4Cl-positive cells were relatively rare and no extracellular deposition of the enzyme was found. In the more aggressive tumors examined, SCCs, BSCC, recurrent, infiltrative, and morpheaform BCCs, 92T4Cl-positive cells were very abundant. In addition, a significant quantity of extracellular enzyme was deposited both within the extracellular matrix adjacent to the tumor nests and in their basement membrane zone. In normal adult skin only a few scattered 92T4Cl-containing cells were found in the dermis whereas in fetal skin, groups of 92T4Cl-positive, HLe-1-negative cells were present in the upper dermis. These observations suggest that in cutaneous tumors, extensive infiltration of 92T4Cl containing polymorphonuclear leukocytes and the extracellular deposition of the enzyme in the basement membrane zone are signs of more aggressive tumor behavior.

Matrix metalloproteinases: a review

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of nine or more highly homologous Zn(++)-endopeptidases that collectively cleave most if not all of the constituents of the extracellular matrix. The present review discusses in detail the primary structures and the overlapping yet distinct substrate specificities of MMPs as well as the mode of activation of the unique MMP precursors. The regulation of MMP activity at the transcriptional level and at the extracellular level (precursor activation, inhibition of activated, mature enzymes) is also discussed. A final segment of the review details the current knowledge of the involvement of MMP in specific developmental or pathological conditions, including human periodontal diseases.

Role of matrix metalloproteinases in invasion and metastasis: biology, diagnosis and inhibitors

The processes of tumour invasion and subsequent metastasis are the most lethal aspects of cancer. Whilst many factors are involved, the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated as key-rate limiting enzymes in the invasive process. This family consisting of eight members of similar structure, can be roughly divided into three groups based on substrate specificity. All are secreted in a latent form and require proteolytic cleavage for activation. The expression of these enzymes is regulated at the transcriptional level by a variety of growth factors and oncogenes. They are also regulated at the protein level by a family of specific inhibitors called the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). Studies in human tumour samples have shown a positive correlation between metalloproteinase expression and metastatic potential. The levels of metalloproteinase expression have been manipulated using molecular biology techniques in several cell lines and shown a similar correlation. These results suggest that an understanding of metalloproteinase expression and proteolytic activity may lead to the development of effective therapeutic agents with the potential to reduce the incidence of metastatic cancer.

Repression of stromelysin metalloprotease expression in rat fibrosarcoma cells by dimethylsulfoxide

Metalloproteases are implicated in conferring invasive properties to tumor cells. We show here that treatment of ras-oncogene-transformed rat fibroblasts with dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) results in a reversible decrease in stromelysin mRNA. Furthermore, stromelysin expression was found to be repressed by DMSO, but not by glucocorticoid hormone, in a fibrosarcoma cell line showing low AP-1 (fos/jun) transcription factor activity. In two fibrosarcoma cell lines which express high levels of stromelysin and low levels of 68 kDa type IV collagenase, the DMSO-induced decrease in stromelysin expression was paralleled by a decreased invasive propensity.

Direct extraction of gelatinases from rat bone

Many studies have shown that gelatinases are secreted into the medium of cultures of various cell and tissue types, including bone cells. It is not clear, however, to what extent the culture process is responsible for inducing the expression of these proteases. In the present study, gelatinolytic enzymes were extracted directly from bone and other tissues and identified as bands of activity on SDS-PAGE enzymograms using gelatin as the substrate. Two forms of gelatinase (72-kDa and 92-kDa) were present in extracts of normal young rat bone. Yields were markedly higher from compact bone than from other tissues (blood, marrow, tendon, cancellous bone, articular cartilage, and skin). More 92-kDa than 72-kDa gelatinase was extracted from bone. The proteolytic specificity of the 92-kDa gelatinase isolated from the bone extract was shown to be similar to that reported for the enzyme isolated from tissue culture media. Native type I collagen was not cleaved but heat denatured type I collagen (gelatin) and native type IV, type V, type IX and type XI collagens were degraded. The proteolytic activity was inhibited by EDTA. The results indicate that more gelatinases can be extracted from bone tissue than from other tissues using mild extraction conditions. The cellular origin and function of these enzymes in bone remain to be defined.

Human 92 kDa type IV collagenase: functional analysis of fibronectin and carboxyl-end domains

Two closely related secreted metalloproteases 72 and 92 kDa type IV collagenases (72- and 92T4Cl) consist of several structural domains, the functions of which are poorly understood. Both metalloproteases can bind to gelatin as well as form complexes with specific inhibitors in the proenzyme form. The biologic role of the proenzyme-inhibitor complex formation remained unclear. Here we summarize results demonstrating that the fibronectin-like domain of 92T4Cl mediates gelatin binding of the proenzyme, while the hemopexin like carboxy-terminal domain is essential for the complex formation of the proenzyme with TIMP. The formation of a 92T4Cl proenzyme complex with TIMP prevents dimerization, formation of the novel complex with ClI proenzyme, and activation of the 92T4Cl by stromelysin. Conversely, formation of the covalent 92T4Cl homodimer excludes the formation of a proenzyme-TIMP complex, thus allowing this form of enzyme to enter into the proteolytic cascade of activation. Both components of the 92T4Cl-ClI complex can be activated in a fashion similar to that of free enzymes, yielding a complex active against both gelatin and fibrillar collagen.

Cellular activation of the 72 kDa type IV procollagenase/TIMP-2 complex

Members of the collagenase family of enzymes have been implicated as central mediators of a number of both physiologic and pathologic processes. The 72-kDa type IV collagenase is secreted as a latent proenzyme, complexed with tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2). Like other members of the collagenase family, this enzyme complex must be converted to a catalytically active form for proteolytic remodeling of extracellular matrix to occur. In the current study we demonstrate an inducible cell-mediated activation of the 72-kDa type IV procollagenase/TIMP-2 complex. Isolation of the 62 kDa activated enzyme/TIMP-2 complex from conditioned media of concanavalin A treated WI-38 fibroblasts demonstrated that the cell activated species was proteolytically active and amino terminal sequencing gave the sequence YNFF. This is identical to that of the 62 kDa species generated following organomercurial activation of purified 72-kDa type IV procollagenase/TIMP-2 complex. We have also isolated biosynthetically 35S-labeled 72-kDa type IV procollagenase/TIMP-2 complex and used this to further study the cellular activation process. In cell lines tested the activator was retained in the residual cell fraction following lysis in the presence of 0.2% (wt/vol) Brij-35. Inhibitor studies demonstrated that processing and activation of 72-kDa type IV procollagenase/TIMP-2 complex by the residual fraction was inhibited by 5 mM ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and 0.5 mM 1,10-phenanthroline demonstrating a metal atom dependence. The species responsible for activation could be partially recovered in soluble form with 0.5% (vol/vol) Triton X-100 and 0.25% (wt/vol) CHAPS but was not salt extractable.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A 25 kDa alpha 2-microglobulin-related protein is a component of the 125 kDa form of human gelatinase

Besides the monomeric mammalian 95 kDa progelatinase, two additional forms, a disulfide-bridged 220 kDa dimer and a 125 kDa form were isolated from human PMN leukocytes. The 125 kDa progelatinase was identified as a covalently linked, disulfide-bridged heterodimer formed of the monomer with a 25 kDa protein. This 25 kDa protein was isolated from gelatinase bound to the affinity support of gelatin-Sepharose and eluted by DTE-containing buffer. The amino acid sequence of tryptic peptides of this protein revealed homology with an alpha 2-microglobulin-related protein from rats, a protein so far unknown in humans.

Human pleural effusions are rich in matrix metalloproteinases

We identified and characterized type IV collagenase and gelatinase activity in pleural fluid from 32 patients. The capacity to substantially degrade type IV collagen was demonstrated in every pleural sample. Comparable results were also noted for the degradation of a radiolabeled gelatin substrate. Gelatin gel zymography of the pleural fluids revealed two prominent zones of lysis at 66 kDa and 92 kDa. These were identified by specific polyclonal antibodies as human matrix metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9. The concentration of MMP-2 in pleural fluid, as measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay, averaged 1,622 ng/ml whereas those of MMP-9 were 210 ng/ml. Substrate degradation activity was compared in both serum and pleural fluid from three patients and found to be similar. In serum this enzymatic activity was primarily due to MMP-9 whereas in pleural fluid, the predominant gelatinase was MMP-2. This was confirmed by immunoassay that showed that MMP-2 levels were two to five times higher in pleural fluid than in serum. We conclude that substantial amounts of MMP-2 and, to a lesser degree, MMP-9 are present in pleural effusions. The bioactivity and the immunoactivity of these enzymes did not help to distinguish among pleural fluids characterized as transudates, nonmalignant exudates, or malignant exudates. The differences in the distribution of these enzymes in pleural fluid and blood suggest that their presence is not due simply to the ultrafiltration of plasma, but rather to synthesis by the resident cells at the pleural surfaces.

VLA-4 molecules on tumor cells initiate an adhesive interaction with VCAM-1 molecules on endothelial cell surface

To elucidate the role of VLA-4 (alpha 4 beta 1 integrin) in tumor metastasis, we have transfected cDNA coding alpha 4 subunit into human fibrosarcoma (HT1080) cells. VLA-4-overexpressing HT-VC1 cells exhibited increased ability to interact with known ligands for VLA-4, such as CS1 peptide and VCAM-1 (vascular cell adhesion molecule-1). In addition, the in vitro invasive ability of HT-VC1 cells was augmented and the mRNA for type IV collagenase was increased in HT-VC1 cells. The induction of VCAM-1 molecules on lung endothelial cells of nude mice by tumor necrosis factor-alpha treatment resulted in augmentation of in vivo HT-VC1 cell adhesion to the lung endothelial cells. Thus, the VLA-4 molecules on tumor cells initiate an adhesive interaction with VCAM-1 molecules on endothelial cells, that is important for hematogenous metastasis.

Vascular endothelial growth factor induces interstitial collagenase expression in human endothelial cells

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a 45kDa secreted peptide that has potent mitogenic activity specific for endothelial cells in vitro and the ability to induce a strong angiogenic response in vivo. In the present study, 24 h treatment with VEGF resulted in a stimulation of expression of the metalloproteinase, interstitial collagenase, at the protein and mRNA levels 2.5-3.0-fold in human umbilical vein endothelial cells but not in human dermal fibroblasts. The dose response curve for collagenase induction was biphasic with the peak stimulatory response obtained by treatment of cells with 10-100 ng/ml (0.2-2 nM) VEGF. The dose response curve for collagenase induction overlapped with, but was not identical to, the response curve for proliferation, which showed VEGF mitogenic activity between < or = 0.1-50 ng/ml (< or = 0.002-1 nM). There was no induction seen in expression of other members of the matrix metalloproteinase family, including the 72kDa type IV collagenase, the 92kDa type V collagenase, or stromelysin. Expression of transcripts for the major metalloproteinase inhibitor, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases, was also unaltered by treatment with VEGF (1-200 ng/ml). These studies demonstrate that in addition to stimulating proliferation of endothelial cells, VEGF can also induce the expression of the only metalloproteinase that can initiate degradation of interstitial collagen types I-III under normal physiological conditions. Both responses are likely to contribute to the angiogenic potential of this peptide.

Constitutive synthesis of a 92-kDa keratinocyte-derived type IV collagenase is enhanced by type I collagen and decreased by type IV collagen matrices

Human keratinocytes synthesize interstitial collagenase, a 72-kDa gelatinase, and a recently described 92-kDa gelatinase/type IV collagenase. We examined the synthesis of this novel enzyme by basal keratinocytes apposed to plastic, basement membrane collagen (type IV), and interstitial dermal collagen (type I). Samples of conditioned medium were electrophoresed on a 10% polyacrylamide, gelatin-ladened zymogram. Protein bands with gelatin-cleaving properties were identified by clarification of the gel and quantified by densitometry. A 92-kDa band had marked gelatinolytic activity and increased in culture over 72 h. The identification of this 92-kDa band as type IV collagenase was demonstrated by Western immunoblotting using monospecific antibody to the 92-kDa type IV collagenase. Keratinocytes apposed to type I collagen exhibited a threefold increase in the synthesis of the 92-kDa enzyme compared to cultures apposed to type IV collagen and a 1.5-times increase compared to plastic. The specificity of this enhancement was shown by constant levels of other proteins (e.g., the 72-kDa gelatinase). This study demonstrates that cell-matrix interactions modulate the synthesis of a recently described, keratinocyte-derived, 92-kDa gelatinase and that specific collagen types (I versus IV) have opposite effects upon the synthesis of this enzyme.

Association between the expression of murine 72 kDa type IV collagenase by odontoblasts and basement membrane degradation during mouse tooth development

In situ hybridization was used to study the expression of the 72 kDa type IV collagenase gene and its association with morphogenesis and cell differentiation during advancing mouse tooth development. The epithelia were completely negative during all developmental stages. The dental mesenchyme was uniformly positive during the early stages of tooth morphogenesis, and no association of type IV collagenase with morphogenetic events was observed. However, at the bell stage the expression increased in differentiating preodontoblasts. Expression was intense in the odontoblasts during secretion of the first predentine matrix. The expression was, however, transient; it decreased around the time when mineralization of dentine started until it completely ceased. Transcripts for 72 kDa type IV collagenase also gradually disappeared from the dental pulp. The expression of 72 kDa type IV collagenase was also strong in the osteoblastic cell lineage. The preosteoblasts at the beginning of the formation of mandibular bone as well as the osteoblasts of the alveolar bone expressed more 72 kDa type IV collagenase than did other mesenchymal cells. The increased gene expression in the odontoblasts correlates with the disappearance of the dental basement membrane as shown by immunolabelling with antibodies against type IV collagen. The onset of increased expression in the odontoblasts preceded the disappearance of the basement membrane and at the time when type IV collagenase transcripts were lost from all odontoblasts the basement membrane was completely removed. It can be speculated that during early stages of tooth development the 72 kDa type IV collagenase acts as a gelatinase whereas during later stages, when odontoblasts and ameloblasts differentiate and the deposition of predentine and enamel matrix is initiated, the enzyme may act as a type IV collagenase and contribute to the degradation of the dental basement membrane.

Breast-cancer-associated stromelysin-3 gene is expressed in basal cell carcinoma and during cutaneous wound healing

Ten cases of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), including nine of the nodulo-ulcerative type and one of the morphea-form type, were investigated for stromelysin-3 (ST3) gene expression by in situ hybridization. The ST3 gene, which codes for a putative matrix metalloproteinase expressed in stromal cells of invasive breast carcinomas, was also expressed in stromal cells of BCCs when they displayed active local invasiveness. ST3 RNA was specifically detected in fibroblastic cells of tumor areas exhibiting loss of peripheral palisading in cancer cell islands. This pattern of expression was characteristic of the ST3 gene and was not observed with any of the other matrix metalloproteinase genes tested. We suggest that ST3 gene expression, which was also observed in fibroblasts during cutaneous scar formation, corresponds to a normal wound-healing response that has been subverted in carcinomas.

Involvement of AP1 and PEA3 binding sites in the regulation of murine tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) transcription

Transcription of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1), a secreted protein that regulates the activities of the metalloproteinases, collagenase and stromelysin, is activated by serum growth factors. Transient transfection experiments have revealed several regions of cis-acting regulatory sequences involved in the response of the murine TIMP-1 gene to serum. One area is in the vicinity of the promoter, consisting of a non-consensus binding site (5'-TGAGTAA-3' at -59/-53) for transcription factor AP1 and an adjacent 24 bp region of dyad symmetry that contains a PEA3-binding site. A second is an upstream region (-1020 to -780) that acts as an enhancer when linked to a heterologous promoter, and contains a consensus AP1 binding site (at -803/ -797). Gel retardation assays revealed differences between nuclear factors in mouse C3H10T1/2 cells that bound to the TIMP(-59/ -53)AP1 site and a consensus collagenase TRE (TPA-response element). The TIMP(-59/ -53)AP1 site is a promiscuous motif that binds c-Fos/c-Jun AP1 translated in vitro and is an effective competitor for binding of nuclear AP1 factors to the consensus TRE, but in addition it binds factors that do not associate with the consensus TRE. The TIMP(-59/ -53)AP1 motif and the dyad symmetry region stimulated expression from a thymidine kinase promoter in an additive fashion, and competition experiments showed that excess copies of these factor binding sites reduced expression from a reporter plasmid driven by the TIMP-1 promoter. Our data show that binding sites for AP1 and PEA3 transcription factors are involved in the regulation of TIMP-1 transcription, which suggests that the coordinated induction of TIMP-1, collagenase and stromelysin may be achieved through the actions of a shared set of nuclear transcription factors. However, the properties of the TIMP-1(-59/ -53)AP1 motif likely reflect an additional type of transcriptional regulation restricted to TIMP-1.

Human neutrophil gelatinase: a marker for circulating blood neutrophils. Purification and quantitation by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay

Human neutrophil gelatinase was purified to apparent homogeneity. The N-terminal amino-acid sequence of the purified enzyme could be aligned to an internal part of the cDNA-derived amino-acid sequence of 92-kDa type IV collagenase from SV 40-transfected human lung fibroblasts and from a TPA differentiated monocytic cell line, U937. Total amino-acid composition of U937 and neutrophil gelatinases was identical. Gelatinase was susceptible to treatment with o- and n-glycanase, indicating that posttranslational addition of oligosaccharide side chains occurs. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for gelatinase was developed using specific polyclonal rabbit antibodies. The assay was specific, sensitive, accurate, and reproducible. Ninety percent range for plasma gelatinase from normal subjects was 17.3 to 102.9 ng/ml. In patients treated with cytostatic agents for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, there was a parallel drop in plasma gelatinase and peripheral granulocyte count. This indicates that plasma gelatinase is a marker for circulating neutrophils. Plasma gelatinase does not seem to reflect bone marrow cellularity.

Expression of 92-kDa type IV collagenase mRNA by eosinophils associated with basal cell carcinoma

Metalloproteinases are thought to be important for tumor invasion and metastasis. We used in situ hybridization with 35S-labeled cRNA probes to localize sites of expression for 92-kDa type IV collagenase mRNA in sections of nodular basal cell carcinoma. Positive signal for 92-kDa type IV collagenase mRNA was detected in eosinophilic granulocytes within inflammatory infiltrates surrounding the tumor nodules. Eosinophils, however, were not adjacent to tumor cells, suggesting that metalloenzyme production by these granulocytes in this disease may be targeted more to stromal components than to remodeling or destruction of the basement lamina. The identity of the eosinophils was confirmed by cell morphology and specific histochemical staining. No resident or other migratory cells were positive for enzyme mRNA in these samples. Signal specificity for in situ hybridization was shown by a duplication of the results with complementary oligomeric probes and by a lack of signal in sections hybridized with a sense RNA probe or nonspecific oligomer. No signal for 92-kDa type IV collagenase mRNA was detected in circulating eosinophils or in eosinophils associated with Hodgkin's lymphoma. These data suggest that eosinophils migrate into the dermis and express type IV collagenase in response to basal cell carcinoma and that this process may have a role in tumor growth.

The role of mucin in colon-cancer metastasis

Mucinous colorectal cancer often presents at an advanced stage. We have previously observed that mucin production by human colon-cancer cells correlates with their ability to colonize the liver in experimental animal models. The present study was undertaken in order to further elucidate the mechanisms by which production of mucin by colon-cancer cells affects metastasis. Cell lines showing high mucin production (HMP) (HM 7, HM 3 and LS LiM 6) demonstrated increased adherence to basement membrane proteins and invaded a reconstituted basement membrane to a greater extent than their counter-part cell lines showing low mucin production (LMP) (LS174T and LM 12). Adherence of the LMP parental cell line LS174T to various matrix proteins was potentiated by the addition of purified human colon-cancer mucin in a dose-dependent fashion. HMP cell lines secreted more proteolytically active type-IV collagenase than LMP lines, and collagenase activity was further stimulated by purified mucin in a dose-dependent manner. Specific inhibition of mucin O-glycosylation by benzyl-alpha-N-acetylgalactosamine significantly affected each of the metastasis-related events, with the greatest effect on the HMP cell lines. The present data further indicate that mucin may play an important role in the metastatic process.

Differential regulation of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 mRNA expression in normal and Ha-ras-transformed murine fibroblasts

A cDNA containing the complete coding region of the murine tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2) was isolated using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction amplification. The predicted murine TIMP-2 amino acid sequence shows 96% identity with human TIMP-2, but only 42% identity with murine TIMP-1. This high degree of evolutionary conservation between the human and mouse proteins suggests that TIMP-2 performs an essential biological function. The expression of the TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 mRNAs was examined in normal and ras-transformed murine fibroblasts. While TIMP-1 transcription was highly serum-inducible in normal murine C3H10T1/2 fibroblasts, TIMP-2 mRNA expression was largely constitutive. A series of ras-transformed derivatives of C3H10T1/2 fibroblasts showed great variability in TIMP-1 expression: some lines retained serum inducibility, others displayed constitutive expression at either high or low levels. In contrast, TIMP-2 expression was insensitive to transformation. Neither TIMP-1 nor TIMP-2 expression at the RNA level, or total TIMP activity in conditioned media could be correlated with the metastatic potential of the ras-transformed lines. Our data demonstrate that the mechanisms that regulate murine TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 expression are distinct arguing for different physiological roles for the two TIMPs.

Production of both 92- and 72-kDa gelatinases by bone cells

We investigated the ability of murine bone organ cultures and osteoblast-like bone cells to produce 72- and 92-kDa gelatinase. 4-6 day newborn mouse calvaria cultures were found to release gelatinase activity into their conditioned medium (CM). This activity was increased by four stimulators of resorption, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF), interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1), parathyroid hormone (PTH) and the active phorbol ester, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Both the 72- and 92-kDa forms of gelatinase were produced by murine bone cultures. In unstimulated bones 72-kDa gelatinase activity was approximately equal to that of the 92-kDa enzyme. IL-1, TNF, PTH and TPA all increased 92-kDa gelatinase activity in the CM of the bone cultures by about 2- to 2.5-fold. In addition TPA and IL-1 also increased 72-kDa gelatinase activity. In unstimulated osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cell cultures 72-kDa gelatinase enzyme activity was much greater than 92-kDa activity and was not substantially regulated (less than 40% change) by IL-1, TNF or PTH. In contrast, these agents stimulated 92-kDa gelatinase activity by 2- to 5-fold. As with the MC3T3-E1 cells, primary cells constitutively produced both 72-kDa and 92-kDa gelatinase. This was true for cells with both the most differentiated osteoblast-like phenotype (populations 3 and 4) and the least osteoblast-like phenotype (populations 1 and 2). In unstimulated cultures of all 4-primary populations, 92-kDa gelatinase production was less than 72-kDa and IL-1, TNF and PTH had only small effects on 72-kDa production in any of the populations (less than 60% change).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (92-kDa gelatinase/type IV collagenase) is induced in rabbit articular chondrocytes by cotreatment with interleukin 1 beta and a protein kinase C activator

The synthesis of an 88-kDa gelatinolytic enzyme, identified as a zymogen of matrix metalloproteinase (proMMP)-9, was induced in the primary culture of rabbit articular chondrocytes by cotreatment with recombinant interleukin 1 beta (rIL-1 beta) and the protein kinase C (PKC) agonists, phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) or mezerein. Negligible 88-kDa gelatinolytic activity was produced by unstimulated cells or cells treated with a PKC activator alone at concentrations up to 100 ng/ml, and only a modest induction occurred with rIL-1 beta alone at concentrations of 1-100 ng/ml. However, when these cells were treated with a PKC activator in the presence of IL-1 beta (1 ng/ml), induction was striking, with enzymic activity detectable at a concentration as low as 1 ng/ml of mezerein or 10 ng/ml of PDBu. Rabbit chondrocytes in culture constitutively produced the zymogen of MMP-2 (proMMP-2) and its production was not altered by treatment with IL-1 beta or PKC agonists alone or in combination. Recombinant tumor necrosis factor alpha (rTNF alpha) did not substitute for IL-1 beta in inducing proMMP-9 in the presence of PKC activators, nor was the combination of IL-1 beta or TNF alpha alone effective. These data indicate that rabbit articular chondrocytes have a potential to synthesize and secrete proMMP-9 under certain biological and pathological conditions but that the expression of proMMP-9 is differently regulated from that of other MMPs.

Malignant transformation of NIH-3T3 cells after subcutaneous co-injection with a reconstituted basement membrane (matrigel)

NIH-3T3 cells are non-tumorigenic when injected into athymic mice. If these cells are mixed with an extract of basement-membrane proteins (matrigel) and injected s.c., they form locally invasive and highly vascularized tumors. Cells cultured from the NIH-3T3-matrigel-induced tumors showed a transformed phenotype and lacked contact inhibition. When cultured in a gel of matrigel, they proliferated and formed branched and invasive colonies. In contrast, the parental NIH-3T3 cells cultured on matrigel remained as cell aggregates and were not invasive. I.V. injections of the tumor-derived NIH-3T3 cells produced many colonies on the surface of the lungs, whereas the parental NIH-3T3 cells were not metastatic. Zymographic analysis of the conditioned media obtained from both the tumor-derived and parental NIH-3T3 cells demonstrated higher amounts of the 72-kDa gelatinase (type-IV collagenase) enzyme in the tumor-derived cells. Also, tumor-derived NIH-3T3 cells, but not parental NIH-3T3 cells, secreted the 92-kDa type-IV collagenase. These studies suggest that the interaction of pre-malignant NIH-3T3 cells with extracellular matrix components may contribute to the process of tumor progression.

Elevated stromelysin-1 and reduced collagenase-IV expression in invasive rat embryo fibroblasts expressing E1A deletion mutants + T24-H-ras

We have studied the in vitro invasive properties of 3 cell lines derived from the co-transfection of rat embryo fibroblasts (REF) with EIA genes deficient in exon 2 and T24-ras. All 3 cell lines showed invasive properties at passage 10 after isolation. Invasive cells expressed elevated levels of stromelysin-1 and reduced levels of 68-kDa type-IV collagenase compared with untransfected REF. In 2 cell lines the invasive capacity increased during in vitro propagation. The expression of stromelysin-1 increased during this process, whereas 68-kDa type-IV collagenase was persistently expressed at reduced levels. In the third clone analyzed, the invasive capacity decreased during culture, in parallel with decreased expression of stromelysin-1. The low level of stromelysin-1 expression observed in this cell line did not result from loss of AP-1-transcription-factor activity, and was not reversed by phorbol-ester treatment.

Malignant cell-specific gelatinase activity in human endometrial carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The protease activity leading to degradation of the extracellular matrix was compared between human endometrial cancer and normal uterine endometrium.

METHODS

Conditioned medium from tumor cells and normal endometrial cells was subjected to electrophoresis on sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel containing gelatin as a substrate. After electrophoresis, the gel was stained with Coomassie blue, and then the enzyme activity, expressed as the zone of dye clearing, was analyzed by densitometry.

RESULTS

Densitometric analysis showed that all the endometrial cancers expressed a very high molecular weight enzyme activity (Mr 220,000), which was not detected in medium from normal endometrial cells. The analysis also showed that in endometrial cancer the activity of a Mr 92,000 enzyme was always superior to that of a Mr 64,000 enzyme, which was in contrast to the situation for normal endometrium.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that the expression of Mr 220,000 enzyme activity and the higher activity of the Mr 92,000 enzyme than the Mr 64,000 enzyme are involved in the malignant phenotype of native endometrial cancer.

Assignment of the human stromelysin 3 (STMY3) gene to the q11.2 region of chromosome 22

The human stromelysin 3 (STMY3) gene, a new member of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) gene family, may contribute to breast cancer cell invasion, and has been localized by in situ hybridization to the long arm of chromosome 22. As demonstrated using a panel of somatic cell hybrids, the STMY3 gene is in band 22q11.2, in close proximity to the BCR gene involved in chronic myeloid leukemia, but far from the (11;22) translocation breakpoint observed in Ewing sarcoma. This position differs from that reported on chromosomes 11 and 16 for the other MMP genes, suggesting that stromelysin 3 could be a member of a new MMP subfamily.

Invasion by cultured human follicular thyroid cancer correlates with increased beta 1 integrins and production of proteases

A recognized model of tumor invasion requires cells to adhere to epithelial basement membrane and extracellular matrix components triggering release of proteases thus allowing cancer cells to invade the substrate. This adhesion is mediated by beta 1 integrins, a family of receptors to substrates such as collagen, laminin, and fibronectin. In order to study tumor invasion in follicular thyroid cancer (FTC), we used cell lines derived from a single patient's FTC primary tumor (FTC-133), neck lymph node metastases (FTC-236), and lung metastases (FTC-238). In vitro invasion as determined by the ability of the tumor cells to penetrate Matrigel was assessed by scanning electron microscopy. FTC-133 did not invade, FTC-236 was moderately invasive, and FTC-238 was highly invasive. Immunoprecipation with a monoclonal antibody to beta 1 integrin subunits and SDS-PAGE showed increased synthesis and flow cytometry showed increased expression of this subunit in FTC-236 and FTC-238 compared to FTC-133. Proteolytic activity was assessed by gelatin zymography. FTC-238 cell extract and conditioned media exhibited a more complex array of proteases consistent with activated type I collagenase and stromelysin compared to the less invasive clones, however 72 and 92 kd gelatinases consistent with type IV collagenases were present in the conditioned media from all three lines. In conclusion, in vitro invasion parallels in vivo metastasis by the source cells in the FTC-133/236/238 cell-lines. The ability to invade basement membrane preparation correlates with increased synthesis and expression of beta 1 integrins and activation of tumor proteases.

Cytokines and proteases in invasive processes: molecular similarities between inflammation and cancer

Tumor-derived serine proteinases and metalloproteinases have been associated with invasion and metastasis of cancer cells. Leukocytes, particularly monocytes/macrophages and neutrophils, actively synthesize and store these proteolytic enzymes. The production by tumor cells of chemotactic factors that attract white blood cells raises questions that are important for the basic researcher as well as the clinical scientist. Are the proteinases, which have the capacity to dissolve the extracellular matrix and by this solubilization promote cell migration, the same in tumor cells as in normal cells? Is the production of chemotactic factors by tumor cells a coincident epiphenomenon of the malignant state or a selective way to parasitize the host? Does the early attraction of leukocytes to the tumor site contribute to early host defense against cancer? Does our knowledge about mechanisms of action of cytokines have implications for therapy of the cancer patient? Recent experimental data give hints to the answers to these questions and make it possible to deduce a fundamental model of cytokine mediated proteolysis in tissue remodelling.

Expression of gelatinase/type IV collagenase in tumor necrosis correlates with cell detachment and tumor invasion

We have previously observed that acellular extracts from necrotic areas (NE) of the non-metastatic murine mammary adenocarcinoma M3, enhance in vitro cell detachment and spontaneous lung metastases. In the present study, using different proteinase inhibitors along with NE, only the calcium chelator EDTA could significantly abrogate the enhanced cell detachment from M3 produced by NE. The typical cleavage products of type IV collagenase were detected inside the tumor necrotic area, mainly in association with necrobiotic cells, as evaluated by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemical assays. Zymography revealed the presence of 72- and 92-kDa gelatinase/type IV collagenase in NE. Moreover, NE increased the in vitro invasive ability of cultured M3 cells. The use of specific antibodies against both 72- and 92-kDa type IV collagenases in the invasion assay showed that only the latter was able to revert the enhanced invasiveness to the baseline. It can be concluded that tumor necrosis is an important source of gelatinase/type IV collagenase, mainly in its 92 kDa form, and plays a major role in tumor invasion.

Production of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (gelatinase/type IV collagenase) and 3 (stromelysin) by cultured oral squamous cell carcinoma

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are believed to play an important role in tumor invasion and metastasis. MMPs have been identified as proforms of malignant tumor-associated enzymes, such as procollagenase (proMMP-1) of M(r) = 53,000, progelatinase (proMMP-2) of M(r) = 72,000, proMMP-9 of M(r) = 92,000, and prostromelysin (proMMP-3) of M(r) = 59,000. Here we report that two cell lines of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC9 and SCC25) produce at least two matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in zymogen form, which have been identified as proMMP-2 and 3 by indirect immunofluorescence technique, immunoblot analysis, and gelatin-substrate gel enzymography. Additionally, a 92-kDa gelatinolytic metalloproteinase (proMMP-9) was detected by gelatin-substrate gel enzymography. We propose that the ability of these tumor cells to secrete MMPs plays an important role in the malignant behavior of oral squamous cell carcinomas.

The role of proteolytic enzymes in cancer invasion and metastasis

The production of metastasis appears to involve a number of different proteases including the urokinase form of plasminogen activator, cathepsin B, cathepsin D and various metalloproteases. Early data implicating these proteases in metastasis were mostly indirect and based on correlation studies in animal models. More recent work, using specific protease inhibitors and antibodies against proteases to block experimental metastasis, have provided more direct evidence that proteases play a role in cancer spread. In addition, transfection of genes encoding certain proteases increases the metastatic phenotype of the recipient cells. In human tumours, a number of different proteases also correlate with metastatic potential. It is concluded that certain proteases may be new prognostic markers in cancer as well as new targets for anti-metastatic therapy.