Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 11, 2025

Tissue Engineering of Tumor Stromal Microenvironment with Application to Cancer Cell Invasion
Published on: March 18, 2014
Membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase regulates anaplastic thyroid carcinoma cell growth and invasion into the
Tatsuya Yoshida1, Nobuyasu Suganuma1, Shinya Sato2
1Department of Surgery, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan; Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Kanagawa Cancer Center, Yokohama, Japan.
Abstract:
Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is one of the most aggressive cancer types; however, the molecular mechanism contributing to the aggressive characteristics remain unclear. Membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) plays an important role in cancer invasion and has been associated with a poor prognosis in various malignant neoplasms. In this study, we investigated the relationship between MT1-MMP expression and the proliferation and invasion of ATC cells, along with the association with clinicopathologic factors in patients with ATC. Suppression of MT1-MMP reduced the proliferation and invasion of ATC cells, and suppressed ERK activity, indicating a role in cancer cell proliferation in collagen matrix culture conditions. The expression of MT1-MMP was detected in 29 of 34 (85.3%) surgical specimens from ATC patients. In addition, the expression of MT1-MMP in the tumor lesion was higher than that of normal and stromal tissues. Collectively, these results suggest that elevated MT1-MMP expression plays a role in the pathogenesis of ATC, which may promote its aggressive characteristics such as proliferation and invasion, highlighting a potential new therapeutic target.
Related Concept Videos
Role of Matrix Metalloproteases in Degradation of ECM
The Tumor Microenvironment
Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces
Anchoring junctions mechanically attach a cell to the...
The Extracellular Matrix
In order to maintain tissue organization, many animal cells are surrounded by structural molecules that make up the extracellular matrix (ECM). Together, the molecules in the ECM maintain the structural integrity of tissue as well as the remarkable specific properties of certain tissues.
Composition of the Extracellular Matrix
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is commonly composed of ground substance, a gel-like fluid, fibrous components, and many structurally and functionally diverse...
The Extracellular Matrix
Cancer Cell Migration through Invadopodia

