Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 4, 2026

In Vitro Scratch Assay to Demonstrate Effects of Arsenic on Skin Cell Migration
09:24

In Vitro Scratch Assay to Demonstrate Effects of Arsenic on Skin Cell Migration

Published on: February 23, 2019

Arsenic enhances matrix metalloproteinase-14 expression in fibroblasts

Masashi Kato1, Khaled Hossain, Machiko Iida

  • 1Unit of Environmental Health Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Life and Health Sciences, Chubu University, Aichi, Japan. katomasa@isc.chubu.ac.jp

Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. Part A
|June 24, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Arsenic exposure increases fibroblast production of active matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 by upregulating MMP-14. This suggests arsenic may promote tumor progression by activating MMP-2, though less effectively than mercury.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Toxicology
  • Cancer Biology

Background:

  • Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), particularly MMP-2 and MMP-14, are implicated in tumor progression.
  • Fibroblast-derived MMPs play a crucial role in extracellular matrix remodeling.
  • Understanding the impact of environmental toxins like arsenic on these proteins is vital.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of arsenic (As) on fibroblast-derived MMP-2 and MMP-14 levels.
  • To elucidate the mechanism by which arsenic influences the active form of MMP-2.
  • To compare the effects of arsenic and mercury (Hg) on MMP-2 activation.

Main Methods:

  • Fibroblast cell cultures were treated with varying concentrations of arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg).
  • Expression levels of MMP-2 and MMP-14 were analyzed.
  • Levels of pro-MMP-2 and active MMP-2 were quantified.

Main Results:

  • Arsenic exposure significantly increased the production of the active form of fibroblast-derived MMP-2.
  • Arsenic treatment elevated MMP-14 expression levels in fibroblasts.
  • Mercury (1000 microM) increased pro-MMP-2 protein, while arsenic did not.
  • MMP-14 acts as an activator of pro-MMP-2.

Conclusions:

  • Arsenic promotes the production of active fibroblast-derived MMP-2 primarily through the upregulation of MMP-14 expression.
  • These findings suggest a potential mechanism for arsenic-induced tumor progression.
  • Arsenic is less potent than mercury in converting pro-MMP-2 to its active form.

Related Concept Videos

Role of Matrix Metalloproteases in Degradation of ECM01:23

Role of Matrix Metalloproteases in Degradation of ECM

Matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) are enzymes involved in the hydrolysis of proteins and glycoproteins of the extracellular matrix. MMPs are essential for the migration and proliferation of cells through the dense matrix network, throughout embryonic development, and throughout morphogenesis. The first MMP activity discovered was a collagenase in a tadpole's tail undergoing metamorphosis. The active collagen deposition and modifications lead to the morphogenesis of tadpoles into the adult body.
A...