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Tissue Engineering of Tumor Stromal Microenvironment with Application to Cancer Cell Invasion
05:48

Tissue Engineering of Tumor Stromal Microenvironment with Application to Cancer Cell Invasion

Published on: March 18, 2014

Membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase promotes human melanoma invasion and growth

Joji Iida1, Krista L Wilhelmson, Matthew A Price

  • 1Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, and University of Minnesota Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA. iidax002@tc.umn.edu

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology
|February 14, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Elevated membrane type-I metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) expression in melanoma cells promotes selective invasion and enhances tumor growth. Inhibition of MT1-MMP blocks invasion but not motility, suggesting a key role in melanoma progression.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Membrane type-I metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) is crucial for tumor cell invasion and extracellular matrix degradation.
  • MT1-MMP is upregulated in malignant melanoma, but its precise role in tumor progression is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the biological consequences of elevated MT1-MMP expression in melanoma cells.
  • To evaluate the role of MT1-MMP in melanoma invasion, migration, growth, and tumorigenicity.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized the Bowes melanoma cell line to assess MT1-MMP function.
  • Examined invasion and migration across different extracellular matrix components (matrigel, type-I collagen, laminin 1, type-IV collagen).
  • Assessed 3D growth in agarose gels and matrigel, and tumorigenicity via intradermal injection. Evaluated the effect of the inhibitor BB94.

Main Results:

  • MT1-MMP expression promoted selective invasion into matrigel but not type-I collagen.
  • Melanoma cells expressing MT1-MMP showed increased migration towards laminin 1.
  • MT1-MMP enhanced 3D growth and tumorigenicity in vivo. BB94 inhibited MT1-MMP-driven invasion and growth but not motility.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated MT1-MMP expression in melanoma facilitates selective invasion and enhances tumor growth.
  • MT1-MMP plays a significant role in promoting malignant melanoma progression in vivo.
  • Targeting MT1-MMP may offer therapeutic strategies for melanoma treatment.

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