Modulation of monocyte matrix metalloproteinase-2 by breast adenocarcinoma cells

High infiltration of CD68-tumor associated macrophages, predict poor prognosis in Kazakh esophageal cancer patients

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), the most important immune cells in tumor microenvironment, were reported to play a key role in cancer progression, but the correlation of TAMs and Kazakh esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) was still not clear, so we sought to identify the function of TAMs in Kazakh ESCC clinicopathological and prognostic evaluation. CD68 as the TAMs marker, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to quantify the TAMs infiltrated in tumor nest and stroma, the IHC staining was also used to evaluate the expression of MMP-9 in Kazakh ESCCs. The density of CD68-TAMs in ESCCs tumor nest and stromal, were significantly higher than those of CANs (P<0.05). The increasing number of CD68-positive TAMs in tumor nest and stromal were positively associated with tumors lymph node metastasis and clinical stage (P<0.05). The expression of MMP-9 in Kazakh ESCCs was higher than that of CAN tissues (P<0.05). Increased MMP-9 expression in ESCCs was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis and tumor clinical stage (P<0.05). Importantly, the number of CD68-positive TAMs in ESCCs was significantly correlated with the expression of MMP-9 (P<0.05). Furthermore, the survival analyses demonstrated that high-density of CD68-TAMs in tumor nest was positively related to the shorter overall survival time of patients (P<0.05). Increasing numbers of CD68-TAMs promote higher expression of MMP-9 and may play an important role in the occurrence and progression of Kazakh ESCCs, and which could be used as important prognostic markers for Kazakh ESCCs.

Systemic Monocytic-MDSCs Are Generated from Monocytes and Correlate with Disease Progression in Breast Cancer Patients

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are highly immunosuppressive myeloid cells, which increase in cancer patients. The molecular mechanism behind their generation and function is unclear. Whereas granulocytic-MDSCs correlate with poor overall survival in breast cancer, the presence and relevance of monocytic-MDSCs (Mo-MDSCs) is unknown. Here we report for the first time an enrichment of functional blood Mo-MDSCs in breast cancer patients before they acquire a typical Mo-MDSC surface phenotype. A clear population of Mo-MDSCs with the typical cell surface phenotype (CD14(+)HLA-DR(low/-)CD86(low/-)CD80(low/-)CD163(low/-)) increased significantly first during disease progression and correlated to metastasis to lymph nodes and visceral organs. Furthermore, monocytes, comprising the Mo-MDSC population, from patients with metastatic breast cancer resemble the reprogrammed immunosuppressive monocytes in patients with severe infections, both by their surface and functional phenotype but also at their molecular gene expression profile. Our data suggest that monitoring the Mo-MDSC levels in breast cancer patients may represent a novel and simple biomarker for assessing disease progression.

PSY-1, a Taxus chinensis var. mairei Extract, Inhibits Cancer Cell Metastasis by Interfering with MMPs

Cancer is the most common disease worldwide, with death often occurring as a result of metastasis. Thus, interfering with metastasis has been regarded as a promising strategy to improve the current cancer treatments. However, exploration and development of novel anti-metastatic agents remains a major challenge. Recent evidence indicated that a polysaccharide isolated from Taxus yunnanensis suppressed tumor cells proliferation. With the objective of seeking bioactive extracts, we had previously isolated, purified and characterized a complex, water-soluble polysaccharides, PSY-1, from the leaves of Taxus chinensis var. mairei, and identified its anti-neoplastic effects. In this study, we focused on the effects of PSY-1 on cancer metastasis and its mechanism(s). The results illustrated that PSY-1 effectively suppressed the migration and invasion ability of the melanoma cancer cell line B16-F10, caused down-regulation of MMP-2 and MMP-9, and that the NF-κB pathway was involved in the anti-metastatic effects imposed by PSY-1.

Prognostic value of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and aminopeptidase N/CD13 in breast cancer patients

The aim of this study was to analyse the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and aminopeptidase APN/CD13 in breast carcinoma samples, and their possible prognostic value in breast cancer patients. The expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 and APN/CD13 in tumor cells was analysed in 138 breast carcinomas by immunohistochemical staining of tumor cells using the semiquantitative method for the detection of cytoplasmic and membrane reaction in tumor cells as well as stromal cells positivity. MMP-2 was positive in tumor cells of 52.9% patients and in stromal cells of 74.6% patients, while MMP-9 positive tumor and stromal cells were found in 84.8 and 63.8% patients, respectively. Tumor cell APN/CD13 expression was found in 36.2% patients. Stromal cell MMP-2 expression correlated significantly with tumor size and neoangiogenesis. A positive correlation was also observed between tumor cell MMP-9 expression and hormone receptor status. Stromal cell coexpression of MMP-2/MMP-9 correlated significantly with tumor size. APN/CD13 expression in tumor cells significantly correlated with tumor type and neoangiogenesis. Overall survival was significantly shorter in patients with MMP-2, MMP-2/MMP-9 positive tumor cells, and tended to be shorter in patients with APN/CD13 positive tumor cells. Coexpression of MMP-2/MMP-9 in tumor cells was an independent risk factor for patient survival (OD = 13.9). Our results suggest that MMP-2, MMP-9, APN/CD13 expression and MMP-2/MMP-9 coexpression in combination with other standard prognostic factors can serve as a poor prognostic factor in the evaluation of breast cancer prognosis.

Interleukin-6 increases expression and secretion of cathepsin B by breast tumor-associated monocytes

In the tumor microenvironment, monocytes respond to paracrine stimuli from breast cancer cells by secreting molecules that participate in breast cancer growth, invasion, intravasation and metastasis. Here we examined the effects of media conditioned by MDA-MB-231 human breast carcinoma cells (231-CM) on expression and secretion of proteases and secretion of cytokines by U937 human monocytes. We found that 231-CM increased U937: 1) proliferation; 2) expression, activity and secretion of the cysteine protease cathepsin B (CTSB); 3) secretion of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 and -9; and 4) secretion of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1). We further demonstrated by western blotting and enzymatic activity assays that the increases in CTSB secretion and activity induced by 231-CM could be reduced by neutralizing antibodies against IL-6. Our data suggest a role for IL-6 in increased monocyte expression and secretion of CTSB in response to soluble factors secreted by breast cancer cells.

Melanoma associated spongiform scleropathy: characterization, biochemical and immunohistochemical studies

SUMMARY

Melanoma associated spongiform scleropathy (MASS) is a non-inflammatory scleral change with a spongiotic morphology seen in association with uveal melanoma. MASS is seen as whitish spindle shaped areas within the sclera that is adjacent to and in contact with a choroidal or ciliary body melanoma. This change can be seen as small scattered lesions in the inner scleral layers or as extensive areas along the whole extent of contact between the tumour and the sclera and involves most of the scleral thickness. MASS changes of different grades of severity were seen in 38% of 363 melanoma eyes investigated. The presence of MASS showed a statistical correlation with age. A significant high incidence of MASS was found in old age groups. This might due to the fact that MASS needs a longer period of contact between the tumour and the sclera to develop. It is also possible that age-related changes of the extracellular matrix might alter its response to melanoma produced factors leading to the development of MASS. The development of MASS and its severity are influenced by the extent of contact between the tumour and the sclera. This is supported by the significant statistical relation between the largest basal diameter of the tumours and the severity of MASS. Statistical correlation was found between MASS and scleral and extrascleral tumour extension. More than 90% of 82 specimens that showed tumour extension were associated with MASS. A biochemical analysis of scleral samples taken from areas with severe MASS showed a significant reduction of the main amino acids of collagen type I, which is the main scleral collagen. The amounts of total scleral proteins were significantly reduced. This scleral protein reduction is associated with an increase in glycosaminoglycans. These findings indicate a collagen degradation process. Immunohistochemical studies were performed to investigate the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). In situ hybridization showed a significantly more frequent and more intense expression of MMP-2 by scleral fibroblasts in areas with MASS compared with areas without MASS. This was also seen by immunohistochemical staining. Similar high frequency and intense expression of MMP-2 were seen in tumour infiltrating macrophages. The results of biochemical and immunohistochemical studies indicate a collagen degradation process. This degradation may be the result of the proteolytic enzyme MMP-2 expressed by scleral fibroblasts under the effect of tumour humeral factors and/or tumour infiltrating macrophages. This scleral degradation results in fragmentation of the scleral collagen fibrils. This along with the accumulation of water in the sclera, as a result of the increase in the production of glycosaminoglycans, results in increase of scleral thickness in MASS areas and forms the histopathological picture of MASS. The scleral degradation may facilitate tumour invasion and may explain the statistical relation between MASS and scleral tumour invasion. MASS was found in a few of the eyes that had received pre-enucleation radiation. The possible explanation is that radiation might cause destruction of scleral fibroblasts reducing their ability to produce MMP-2, thus decreasing the development of MASS. No relation between MASS and survival was found. This is probably explained by the fact that the main cause of death due to uveal melanoma is distant metastasis. MASS changes are found to be associated with local tumour invasion but not statistically correlated to survival.

A role for endothelial-derived matrix metalloproteinase-2 in breast cancer cell transmigration across the endothelial-basement membrane barrier

Invasive cancer cells utilize matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) to degrade the extracellular matrix and basement membrane in the process of metastasis. Among multiple members of the MMP family, the gelatinase MMP-2 has been implicated in the development and dissemination of malignancies. However, the cellular source of MMP-2 and its effect on metastatic extravasation have not been well characterized. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that active MMP-2 derived from endothelial cells facilitated the transmigration of breast cancer cells across the microvascular barrier. Gelatin zymography was used to assess latent and active MMP-2 production in conditioned media from MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells, human lung microvascular endothelial cells (HLMVEC) and co-culture of these two cells. Transmigrated cancer cells were measured during MMP-2 knockdown with siRNA and pharmacological inhibition of MMP activity with OA-HY. The results showed consistent MMP-2 secretion by the HLMVECs, whereas a low level production was seen in the MDA-MB-231 cells. Inhibition of MMP-2 expression or activity in HLMVECs significantly attenuated the transmigration of MDA-MB-231 cells across an endothelial monolayer barrier grown on a reconstituted basement membrane. The data provide evidence supporting a potential role for the endothelial production of MMPs in promoting cancer cell extravasation. We suggest that the interaction between malignant cells and peritumoral benign tissues including the vascular endothelium may serve as an important mechanism in the regulation of tumor invasion and metastasis.