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Updated: Aug 24, 2026

Molecular Profiling of the Invasive Tumor Microenvironment in a 3-Dimensional Model of Colorectal Cancer Cells and Ex vivo Fibroblasts
Published on: April 29, 2014
Increased invasion and expression of MMP-9 in human colorectal cell lines by a CD44-dependent mechanism
David Murray1, Mary Morrin, Susan McDonnell
1School of Biotechnology, National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin 9, Ireland.
Background:
In order to investigate the interactions between MMPs and CD44 we stably transfected a non-invasive colon cell line, SW480 with the cDNA for MMP-9 and investigated the effect on CD44 expression and in vitro invasion and migration.
Materials And Methods:
In vitro invasion and migration assays were carried out using Biocoat matrigel invasion chambers. MMP and CD44 expression was determined using zymography, Western blot analysis and RT-PCR.
Results:
Transfection of the parental SW480 cells with the cDNA for MMP-9 (SW480M9) caused increased invasion and migration. MMP-9 expression increased when the SW480M9 cells were grown on HA and collagen and cultured in the presence of a CD44-activating antibody. Treatment of the cells with HA and a CD44-activating antibody also resulted in increased invasion, migration and attachment.
Conclusion:
These results demonstrated that CD44 and MMP interactions are important in controlling tumour cell invasion and migration.
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