Positive correlation between inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase 1 and matrix metalloproteinases in malignant ovarian tumor tissues

Characteristics of Selected Adipokines in Ascites and Blood of Ovarian Cancer Patients

Simple Summary

Ovarian cancer is at the forefront of all cancers worldwide. A specific microenvironment for the secretion of various proteins, including adipokines, is formed around the neoplastic tissue. Five of these proteins, namely adiponectin, interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 8 (IL-8), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), were found to have a particular effect on metastasis. The review collects data available in the literature on the function and occurrence of these cytokines in ovarian cancer. The collected information will allow for the observation of these proteins in the area of diagnostics and the planning of further scientific research, and will enable the use of the cytokine level determination as biomarkers of neoplastic disease, its progression and prognosis.

Abstract

Ovarian cancer is one of the most common malignancies among women worldwide. The course of the disease is often latent and asymptomatic in the early stages, but as it develops, metastasis occurs, accompanied by accumulation of ascites in the peritoneal cavity. The ascites fluid constitutes a specific microenvironment influencing the processes of carcinogenesis. In ascites, signaling is mediated by various cytokines that control tumor cell proliferation, progression, metastasis, and chemoresistance. Adipokines, secreted into ascites and also appearing in blood, may be markers of ongoing processes related to the development of neoplastic disease. Moreover, a significant influence of adipocyte lipids on the growth of tumors, for which they are one of energy sources, is observed. Adiponectin, interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 8 (IL-8), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), discussed in the present review, were found to mediate the effects of omentum metastasis through homing, migration and invasion of ovarian cancer cells. Further research on those adipokines seem to be a natural consequence, allowing for a better understanding of the mechanisms of neoplastic disease and determination of the treatment procedure.

17β-Estradiol Reverses Leptin-Inducing Ovarian Cancer Cell Migration by the PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway

Accumulating evidence suggests that leptin is expressed at higher levels in obese women and stimulates cell migration in epithelial cancers. However, the biology of ovarian cancer is different from others, mainly due to the production of estrogens because of the involvement of ovarian tissue, which is the main source of estrogens; as a result, the levels are at least 100- to 1000-fold higher than normal circulating levels. Thus, ovarian cancer tissues are exposed to 17β-estradiol, which promotes ovarian cancer cell migration and may modulate the effect of other hormones. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of 17β-estradiol (1 nmol/L) with leptin (1-40 ng/mL) at physiological levels, on the migration of OVCAR-3 and SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cells, and the expression levels and activity of metalloproteinases (MMPs) 2 and 9. Here, we found that leptin stimulated ovarian cancer cell line migration, which is mediated via the expression and activity of MMP-9 in the OVCAR-3 but not in the SKOV-3 cells. After the administration of 17β-estradiol and leptin, we observed antagonistic effects of 17β-estradiol on leptin-induced OVCAR-3 cell migration and MMP-9 expression and activity. Moreover, the antagonistic effect of 17β-estradiol on leptin-induced cancer cell migration was reversed by pretreatment of the cells with the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway inhibitor. Taken together, our results, for the first time, show that in ovarian cancer cells ObR⁺/ER⁺, 17β-estradiol has an antagonistic effect on leptin-induced cell migration as well as MMP-9 expression and activity, which is mediated by the PI3K pathway.

The Extracellular Matrix in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer - A Piece of a Puzzle

Epithelial ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women and the most lethal gynecological malignancy. Extracellular matrix (ECM) is an integral component of both the normal and tumor microenvironment. ECM composition varies between tissues and is crucial for maintaining normal function and homeostasis. Dysregulation and aberrant deposition or loss of ECM components is implicated in ovarian cancer progression. The mechanisms by which tumor cells induce ECM remodeling to promote a malignant phenotype are yet to be elucidated. A thorough understanding of the role of the ECM in ovarian cancer is needed for the development of effective biomarkers and new therapies.

Polymorphism, genetic effect and association with egg production traits of chicken matrix metalloproteinases 9 promoter

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) are key enzymes involved in cell and tissue remodeling during ovarian follicle development and ovulation. The control of MMP9 transcription in ovarian follicles occurs through a core promoter region (−2,400 to −1,700 bp). The aim of this study was to screen genetic variations in the core promoter region and examine MMP9 transcription regulation and reproduction performance. A single cytosine deletion/insertion polymorphism was found at −1954 C⁺/C⁻. Genetic association analysis indicated significant correlation between the deletion genotype (C⁻) with total egg numbers at 28 weeks (p = 0.031). Furthermore, luciferase-reporter assay showed the deletion genotype (C⁻) had significantly lower promoter activity than the insertion genotype (C⁺) in primary granulosa cells (p<0.01). Therefore, the identified polymorphism could be used for marker-assisted selection to improve chicken laying performance.

Enhanced immunoreactivity of TIMP-2 in the stromal compartment of tumor as a marker of favorable prognosis in ovarian cancer patients

Degradation of the extracellular matrix and basement membrane is a critical step in tumor progression. Matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2 (TIMP 2) act in a coordinated manner to form an integrated system involved in ovarian cancer (OC) progression. In this study, the authors describe the expression of TIMP-2 detected by immunohistochemistry in 6 OC cell lines and in 43 malignant epithelial ovarian tumors (in tumor and stromal compartments) in sections originating from primary laparotomies. No significant correlations between overall and progression-free survival and TIMP-2 expression in tumor compartment were observed. The analysis demonstrated a significant association between enhanced stromal expression of TIMP-2 and better clinical response to cisplatin- and paclitaxel-based chemotherapy. Increased expression of TIMP-2 in the stromal compartment and simultaneous overexpression in both stromal and tumor compartments strongly correlated with increased survival. No significant correlations were found in vitro between resistance to cisplatin, paclitaxel, or topotecan and the expression of TIMP-2 in the OC cell lines, suggesting stromal influences on tumor chemoresistance in the physiological environment. This study supports the concept of TIMP-2 expression in the stromal compartment of OC as a promising marker of prognosis and response to cisplatin- and paclitaxel-based chemotherapy in OC patients.

Lack of relationship between TIMP-1 tumour cell immunoreactivity, treatment efficacy and prognosis in patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer

Background

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) is a natural inhibitor of the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) which are proteolytic enzymes involved in degradation of extracellular matrix thereby favoring tumour cell invasion and metastasis. TIMP-1 activity in tumour tissue may therefore play an essential role in the progression of a malignant tumour.

The primary aim of the present study was to evaluate TIMP-1 protein immunoreactivity in tissue from primary ovarian cancer patients and associate these findings with the course of the disease including response to treatment in the individual patient.

Methods

TIMP-1 was assessed by immunohistochemistry (in tissue micro arrays) in a total of 163 ovarian cancer specimens obtained from primary debulking surgery during 1991-1994 as part of a randomized clinical protocol.

Results

Positive TIMP-1 immunoreactivity was found in 12.3% of the tumours. The median survival time for the 143 patients with TIMP-1 negative tumours was 23.7 months [19.0-29.4] 95% CI, while the median survival time for the 20 patients with TIMP-1 positive tumours was 15.9 months [12.3-27.4] 95% CI. Although a difference of 7.8 months in median overall survival in favor of the TIMP-1 tumour negative patients was found, this difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.28, Kaplan-Meier, log-rank test). Moreover, TIMP-1 immunoreactivity was not associated with CA125 response (p = 0.53) or response at second look surgery (p = 0.72).

Conclusion

TIMP-1 immunoreactivity in tumour tissue from patients with primary epithelial ovarian cancer did not correlate with patient survival or response to combination platinum/cyclophosphamide therapy.

TIMP-1 and VEGF-165 serum concentration during first-line therapy of ovarian cancer patients

Background

Angiogenesis appears to play an important role in ovarian cancer. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has recently been implicated as a therapeutic target in ovarian cancer. The tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) is involved in tissue invasion and angiogenesis. The application of serum TIMP-1 and VEGF to monitor primary therapy and predict clinical outcome of patients with ovarian cancer is unclear.

Methods

Patients with epithelial ovarian cancer who presented for primary surgery were included in this study. A total of 148 serum samples from 37 patients were analyzed. Samples were prospectively collected at 4 predefined time points: 1. before radical debulking surgery, 2. after surgery and before platinum/taxane based chemotherapy, 3. during chemotherapy, 4. after chemotherapy. Serum VEGF-165 and TIMP-1 as well as CA-125 were quantified by ELISA or ECLIA and correlation with response and long-term clinical outcome was analyzed.

Results

Serum levels of all markers changed substantially during first-line therapy. High CA-125 (p = 0.002), TIMP-1 (p = 0.007) and VEGF-165 (p = 0.02) after chemotherapy were associated with reduced overall survival. In addition, elevated CA-125 (p < 0.001) and VEGF-165 (p = 0.006) at this time point predicted poor progression-free survival. TIMP-1 and VEGF-165 were closely correlated at all time-points during therapy.

Conclusions

TIMP-1 and VEGF serum levels changed significantly during first-line therapy of ovarian cancer patients and predicted prognosis. These findings support the role of angiogenesis in ovarian cancer progression and the use of antiangiogenic therapy.

Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-26 and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-3 and -4 in normal ovary and ovarian carcinoma

The objective of this study was to determine the spatial expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their physiologic inhibitors, the tissue inhibitor of MMP (TIMP)-3 and TIMP-4, in ovarian carcinoma compared to normal ovaries. Immunohistochemistry was carried out in this study. Tissue sections prepared from normal ovarian tissues from throughout the menstrual cycle (N = 20) and ovarian carcinomas (N = 45) characterized as stage I (N = 5), stage III/IV (N = 40) were immunostained using polyclonal antibodies to the latent and the active form of MMP-26, TIMP-3, and a monoclonal antibody to TIMP-4. Immunoreactive MMP-26, TIMP-3, and TIMP-4 were detected in all the ovarian cell types in normal and tumor tissues. In normal ovarian tissues, theca externa and luteal cells immunostained with high intensity for MMP-26 and TIMPs while theca/granulosa cell staining intensity increased as lutenization progressed. There was low immunostaining of the ovarian stromal and surface epithelial cells for MMP-26, with moderate staining for TIMPs. In the carcinoma specimens, cancer cells and vascular endothelial cells displayed the highest staining intensity compared to adjacent nontumor areas. The immunostaining intensity of MMP-26 and TIMP-3 increased with stage of tumor with the invading tumor cells displaying the strongest immunostaining. MMP-26, TIMP-3, and TIMP-4 are expressed in normal ovarian as well as ovarian tumors with elevated expression in the invasive tumor cells suggesting a potential role for MMP-26 in normal ovary and ovarian cancer biologic function.

High expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 in serous ovarian carcinomas and the role of this expression in ovarian tumorigenesis

Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) play key roles in maintaining homeostasis of the extracellular matrix by controlling matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). In addition to their role in regulating MMPs, TIMPs have also been shown to have pluripotential effects on cell growth, apoptosis, and differentiation. The aim of this study was to evaluate TIMP-2 level in serous ovarian tumor tissues and to understand further the role of TIMP-2 protein in ovarian tumorigenesis. The expression of TIMP-2 was assessed by immunohistochemistry in a total of 57 ovarian specimens, including 5 normal ovaries, 12 benign serous cystadenomas, 20 serous borderline tumors, and 20 serous carcinomas. In addition, we transfected a TIMP-2 plasmid into the gynecologic cancer cell lines SKOV-3, 2774, and HeLa and then assayed cell growth, apoptosis, and MMP-2 activation. We found that TIMP-2 immunostaining was significantly more frequent in serous carcinomas, mainly in tumor epithelium, compared with cells of the other tissues studied. Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 overexpression in ovarian cancer cells did not mediate proapoptosis, inhibited cisplatin-induced apoptosis, and induced MMP-2 expression. These findings suggest that TIMP-2 may function to favor tumor growth in serous ovarian tumorigenesis. Additional research is now needed to elucidate further the role of TIMP-2 in the biologic behavior of ovarian serous tumors.

Patterns of expression of chromosome 17 genes in primary cultures of normal ovarian surface epithelia and epithelial ovarian cancer cell lines

Oligonucleotide microarray analysis was applied to assess the expression profile of 332 probe sets representing 308 genes or expressed sequence tags (ESTs) that map to chromosome 17 in order to address epigenetic events that result in alterations in gene expression in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Expression profiles were generated from 12 primary cultures derived from normal ovarian surface epithelium (NOSE) and four long-term cultures (TOV-81D, TOV-112D, TOV-21G and OV-90) derived from EOCs that have been previously characterized and shown to mimic features of the tumoral cells from which they were derived. The expression values of all 332 probe sets is highly correlated across the 12 NOSEs (89% correlation coefficients >0.90). In two-way comparisons, differential patterns of gene expression were observed for 157 probe sets for which the expression value of at least one EOC cell line fell outside the limits of the range of expression of the 12 NOSEs. When compared to NOSEs, four genes displayed similar differential patterns of gene expression across all four EOC cell lines, and 26 genes displayed similar differential patterns of gene expression across the three EOC cell lines (TOV-112D, TOV-21G and OV-90) representing tumoral cells derived from the most aggressive disease. A total of 17 genes displayed differential patterns of gene expression greater than threefold in at least one EOC cell line in comparison to NOSE, and three genes were differentially expressed greater than threefold across all aggressive cell lines. The analysis of a selected number of genes by RT-PCR revealed patterns of gene expression comparable to those observed by microarray analysis in the majority of samples tested. Comparison of expression profiles of differentially expressed genes identified by microarray analysis in two-way comparisons of the EOC cell lines and the NOSEs with published reports revealed 10 genes previously implicated in ovarian tumorigenesis and 18 in tumorigenesis of other types of cancer. The differential pattern of gene expression of genes that map to both the p and q arm of chromosome 17 is consistent with the hypothesis that a number of genes that map to this chromosome are implicated in the etiology of ovarian cancer.

Differential expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 protein and mRNA in epithelial ovarian tumors

OBJECTIVE

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) can degrade gelatin and type IV collagen and is known to play an important role in tumor cell invasion across the basement membrane. The tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) is able to prevent activation of pro-MMP-9 and forms a 1:1 complex with the active form of MMP-9. The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in benign, borderline, and invasive epithelial ovarian tumors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 90 patients with epithelial ovarian tumor were treated at the Brigham and Women's Hospital and were used as the study population. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization were performed to detect protein and mRNA expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1.

RESULTS

In the 90 epithelial ovarian tumors tested, MMP-9 expression in tumor cells was found to be significantly enhanced in serous and mucinous ovarian carcinomas compared with benign and borderline tumors. We also observed the immunostaining of MMP-9 in stromal cells of benign, borderline, and invasive epithelial ovarian tumors. Moreover, the expression levels of TIMP-1 in tumor cells were significantly higher in borderline and invasive ovarian tumors than in benign tumors.

CONCLUSION

Using an in situ hybridization technique, we disclosed a direct correlation between the presence of mRNA and protein expression for both MMP-9 and TIMP-1. The present data suggest that high levels of MMP-9 protein in invasive epithelial ovarian carcinoma are strongly associated with tumor cell invasion. Enhanced expression of TIMP-1 protein in borderline and invasive tumors indicates that endogenous TIMP-1 protein may play a paradoxical role in ovarian tumor progression.

MMP-2 release and activation in ovarian carcinoma: the role of fibroblasts

The matrix metalloproteinase MMP-2 is up-regulated in epithelial cancers and its mRNA localizes to stromal fibroblasts. In this paper we show that co-culture of ovarian carcinoma cells with fibroblasts resulted in an enhanced release of proMMP-2 and TIMP-2 into the culture medium. Cell-cell interaction was a major factor in this response and carcinoma cells stimulated proMMP-2 release from fibroblasts but not vice versa. Collagen 1, in a dose-dependent fashion, induced activation of proMMP-2 by tumour-derived, but not normal, fibroblasts. Antibody to beta1 integrin also induced proMMP-2 activation by tumour-derived fibroblasts. The activation involved the processing of proMMP-2 by a membrane-bound metalloproteinase. We propose that, in the ovarian tumour microenvironment, interaction between tumour cells and fibroblasts may enhance fibroblast production of the proMMP-2 and TIMP-2. Collagen I, also present in the ovarian tumours, then induces these fibroblasts to activate proMMP-2 even in the presence of TIMP-2. This active MMP-2 can associate with the cell surface of tumour cells and fibroblasts and is used in the processes of tissue remodelling and invasion.

Overexpression of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) in metastatic MDCK cells transformed by v-src

This article discusses the transformation of epithelial Madin-Durby canine kidney (MDCK) cells with v-src induced expression of membrane-type 1-matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) and metastatic growth in nude mice (Kadono Y et al., Cancer Res 1998; 58: 2240-44). To analyze genes associated with invasive phenotype of v-src MDCK cells, mRNA differential display was performed between control and the transformed cells. A clone 12', the expression of which was clearly up-regulated in the transformed cells, encoded a protein 81% homologous to human tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1). Northern hybridization showed that only MT1-MMP expression was enhanced and other matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were undetectable or rather repressed in the transformed cells. Proteolytic activity against type I gelatin was observed in v-src MDCK cells, which was inhibited only by TIMP-2 but not by TIMP-1. MDCK cells stably transfected with the MT1-MMP gene also degraded gelatin, which was selectively inhibited by TIMP-2. These results suggest that MT1-MMP, the expression of which is induced in v-src MDCK cells, degrades extracellullar matrix by itself rather than through the activation of progelatinase A, which in turn contributes to the metastasis of the transformed cells.