Matrix metalloproteinases process the laminin-5 gamma 2-chain and regulate epithelial cell migration

Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and membrane type 1-MMP can process the laminin-5 (Ln-5) gamma2-chain, revealing a cryptic site inducing epithelial cell migration. We investigated whether other MMPs process the Ln-5 gamma2-chain and related their ability to induce epithelial cell migration. The N-terminal sequences of the MMP-3, -12, -13, and -20 processed 80kDa Ln-5 gamma2x-chains were identical whereas the N-terminus of the 80kDa(MMP-8) Ln-5 gamma2x-chain was not. MMP-3, -13, -14, and -20 induced MCF-7 cell migration over Ln-5 while MMP-8 was a poor inducer of MCF-7 cell migration. In conclusion, several MMPs can process the Ln-5 gamma2-chain and induce epithelial cell migration.     

Membrane-type matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MT1-MMP) is a processing enzyme for human laminin gamma 2 chain

Processing of the laminin-5 (Ln-5) gamma 2 chain by membrane-type-1 matrix metalloproteinases (MT1-MMP) promotes migration and invasion of epithelial and tumor cells. We previously demonstrated that MT1-MMP cleaves the rat gamma 2 chain at two sites, producing two major C-terminal fragments of 100 (gamma 2') and 80 (gamma 2 x) kDa and releasing a 30-kDa fragment containing epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like motifs (domain III (DIII) fragment). The DIII fragment bound the EGF receptor (EGF-R) and stimulated cell scattering and migration. However, it is not yet clear whether human Ln-5 is processed in a similar fashion to rat Ln-5 because one of the two MT1-MMP cleavage sites present in rat gamma 2 is not found in human gamma 2. To identify the exact cleavage site for MT1-MMP in human Ln-5, we purified both the whole molecule as well as a monomeric form of human gamma 2 that is frequently expressed by malignant tumor cells. Like rat Ln-5, both the monomer of gamma 2, as well as the gamma 2 derived from intact Ln-5, were cleaved by MT1-MMP in vitro, generating C-terminal gamma 2' (100 kDa) and gamma 2 x (85 kDa) fragments and releasing DIII fragments (25 and 27k Da). In addition to the conserved first cleavage site used to generate gamma 2', two adjacent cleavage sites (Gly(559)-Asp(560) and Gly(579)-Ser(580)) were found that could generate the gamma 2 x and DIII fragments. Two of the three EGF-like motifs present in the rat DIII fragment are present in the 27-kDa human fragment, and like the rat DIII, this fragment can promote breast carcinoma cell migration by engaging the EGF-R. These results suggest that MT1-MMP processing of Ln-5 in human tumors may stimulate the EGF-R, resulting in increased tumor cell scattering and migration that could possibly increase their metastatic potential.     

Mesenchymal cells contribute to the synthesis and deposition of the laminin-5 γ2 chain in the invasive front of oral squamous cell carcinoma

Tumour progression in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is associated with a reorganisation of extracellular matrix. Laminin-5 (Ln-5) plays an important role for tumour migration and shows an increased expression in areas of direct tumour/stroma interactions. We have previously shown stromal spot like Ln-5/γ2 chain deposits distant from the basement membrane region. In this study we have analysed which cell type is responsible for Ln-5/γ2 chain synthesis in situ. Furthermore, we studied its spatial relation to TGF-β1 as well as the Ln-5 modulating enzymes matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2, membrane type-1 (MT1-) MMP and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP-) 1 by different techniques including triple immunofluorescence labelling and in situ hybridisation in OSCC. We found that the stromal spot-like Ln-5 deposits occurred in the invasive front in the vicinity of mesenchymal cells and vessel structures. In particular, not only carcinoma cells but also mesenchymal cells were shown to express the Ln-5/γ2 chain mRNA. Moreover, stromal Ln-5 deposits showed a spatial association with TGF-β1 as well as with MT1-MMP and BMP-1. Based on these findings we suggest that mesenchymal cells contribute to the promotion of tumour cell migration as well as vessel formation in OSCC by providing and organising promigratory Ln-5 fragments.     

Actin-associated protein palladin promotes tumor cell invasion by linking extracellular matrix degradation to cell cytoskeleton

Basal-like breast carcinomas, characterized by unfavorable prognosis and frequent metastases, are associated with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. During this process, cancer cells undergo cytoskeletal reorganization and up-regulate membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP; MMP14), which functions in actin-based pseudopods to drive invasion by extracellular matrix degradation. However, the mechanisms that couple matrix proteolysis to the actin cytoskeleton in cell invasion have remained unclear. On the basis of a yeast two-hybrid screen for the MT1-MMP cytoplasmic tail-binding proteins, we identify here a novel Src-regulated protein interaction between the dynamic cytoskeletal scaffold protein palladin and MT1-MMP. These proteins were coexpressed in invasive human basal-like breast carcinomas and corresponding cell lines, where they were associated in the same matrix contacting and degrading membrane complexes. The silencing and overexpression of the 90-kDa palladin isoform revealed the functional importance of the interaction with MT1-MMP in pericellular matrix degradation and mesenchymal tumor cell invasion, whereas in MT1-MMP–negative cells, palladin overexpression was insufficient for invasion. Moreover, this invasion was inhibited in a dominant-negative manner by an immunoglobulin domain–containing palladin fragment lacking the dynamic scaffold and Src-binding domains. These results identify a novel protein interaction that links matrix degradation to cytoskeletal dynamics and migration signaling in mesenchymal cell invasion.     

Catalytic activities of membrane-type 6 matrix metalloproteinase (MMP25)

This study describes the biochemical characterisation of the catalytic domain of membrane-type 6 matrix metalloproteinase (MT6-MMP, MMP25, leukolysin). Its activity towards synthetic peptide substrates, components of the extracellular matrix and inhibitors of MMPs was studied and compared with MT1-MMP, MT4-MMP and stromelysin-1. We have found that MT6-MMP is closer in function to stromelysin-1 than MT1 and MT4-MMP in terms of substrate and inhibitor specificity, being able to cleave type-IV collagen, gelatin, fibronectin and fibrin. However, it differs from stromelysin-1 and MT1-MMP in its inability to cleave laminin-I, and unlike stromelysin-1 cannot activate progelatinase B. Our findings suggest that MT6-MMP could play a role in cellular migration and invasion of the extracellular matrix and basement membranes and its activity may be tightly regulated by all members of the TIMP family.     

MT1-MMP-mediated basement membrane remodeling modulates renal development

Extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling regulates multiple cellular functions required for normal development and tissue repair. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are key mediators of this process and membrane targeted MMPs (MT-MMPs) in particular have been shown to be important in normal development of specific organs. In this study we investigated the role of MT1-MMP in kidney development. We demonstrate that loss of MT1-MMP leads to a renal phenotype characterized by a moderate decrease in ureteric bud branching morphogenesis and a severe proliferation defect. The kidneys of MT1-MMP-null mice have increased deposition of collagen IV, laminins, perlecan, and nidogen and the phenotype is independent of the MT-1MMP target, MMP-2. Utilizing in vitro systems we demonstrated that MTI-MMP proteolytic activity is required for renal tubule cells to proliferate in three dimensional matrices and to migrate on collagen IV and laminins. Together these data suggest an important role for MT1-MMP in kidney development, which is mediated by its ability to regulate cell proliferation and migration by proteolytically cleaving kidney basement membrane components.     

Matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 in fetal rabbit lung

Cell-extracellular matrix interaction and extracellular matrix remodeling are known to be important in fetal lung development. We investigated the localization of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in fetal rabbit lungs. Immunohistochemistry for type IV collagen, MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9, membrane type (MT) 1 MMP, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-2 and in situ hybridization for MMP-9 mRNA were performed. Gelatin zymography and Western blotting for MT1-MMP in lung tissue homogenates were also studied. MMP-1 and MT1-MMP were detected in epithelial cells, and MMP-2 and TIMP-2 were detected in epithelial cells and some mesenchymal cells in each stage. MMP-9 was found in epithelial cells mainly in the late stage. Gelatin zymography revealed that the ratio of active MMP-2 to latent MMP-2 increased dramatically during the course of development. MT1-MMP was detected in tissue homogenates, especially predominant in the late stage. These findings suggest that MMPs and their inhibitors may contribute to the formation of airways and alveoli in fetal lung development and that activated MMP-2 of alveolar epithelial cells may function to provide an extremely wide alveolar surface.     

BST-2 binding with cellular MT1-MMP blocks cell growth and migration via decreasing MMP2 activity

MT1-MMP (membrane type 1-matrix metalloproteinase) plays important roles in cell growth and tumor invasion via mediating cleavage of MMP2/gelatinase A and a variety of substrates including type I collagen. BST-2 (bone marrow stromal cell antigen 2) is a membrane tetherin whose expression dramatically reduces the release of a broad range of enveloped viruses including HIV from infected cells. In this study, we provided evidence that both transient and IFN-α induced BST-2 could decrease the activity of MMP2 via binding to cellular MT1-MMP on its C-terminus and inhibiting its proteolytic activity; and finally block cell growth and migration. Zymography gel and Western blot experiments demonstrated that BST-2 decreased MMP2 activity, but no effect on the expression of MMP2 and MT1-MMP genes. Confocal and immunoprecipitation data showed that BST-2 co-localized and interacted with MT1-MMP. This interaction inhibited the proteolytic enzyme activity of MT1-MMP, and blocked the activation of proMMP2. Experimental results of C-terminus deletion mutant of MT1-MMP showed that activity of MMP2 was no change and also no interaction existed between the mutant and BST-2 after co-transfection with the mutant and BST-2. It meant that C-terminus of MT1-MMP played a key role in the interaction with BST-2. In addition, cell growth in 3D type I collagen gel lattice and cell migration were all inhibited by BST-2. Taken together, BST-2, as a membrane protein and a tetherin of enveloped viruses, was a novel inhibitor of MT1-MMP and could be considerable as an inhibitor of cancer cell growth and migration on clinic.     

Down-regulation of laminin-5 in breast carcinoma cells.

BACKGROUND: Laminin-5 (ln-5), a large heterotrimeric glycoprotein consisting of an alpha 3, beta 3, and gamma 2 chain, is a component of epithelial cell basement membranes that functions as a ligand of the alpha 3 beta 1 and alpha 6 beta 4 integrins to regulate cell adhesion, migration, and morphogenesis. The ln-5 chains show tissue-specific patterns of regulation in tumors derived from different tissues. For example, ln-5 is often up-regulated in gliomas, gastric carcinomas, and squamous carcinomas and down-regulated in prostate and basal cell carcinomas. Ln-5 expression patterns may represent useful tumor markers and help to elucidate the role of ln-5 in tumor progression in different tissue types. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have studied ln-5 expression patterns in the breast. mRNA levels were examined in tumor and normal breast epithelial cell lines, tissue samples, and immunomagnetically sorted primary cultures using differential display, Northern blotting, and hybridization arrays. Protein levels were examined by immunoprecipitation. Gene integrity was assessed by Southern blotting of representative cell types. RESULTS: Ln-5 alpha 3, beta 3, and gamma 2 mRNA expression was found to be markedly down-regulated in a panel of breast tumor cell lines when compared with normal breast epithelial cells. Ln-5 mRNA was expressed at relatively high levels in MCF-10A immortal normal breast epithelial cells, long-term cultures of normal breast cells, and sorted primary cultures of normal breast luminal epithelial and myoepithelial cells. Reduced, but detectable, levels of ln-5 tended to be expressed in cell lines derived from early-stage breast tumors, whereas expression was generally not detected in cell lines derived from later-stage tumors. In breast tumor tissue specimens, expression of ln alpha 3 and beta 3 mRNAs tended to be reduced relative to levels observed in adjacent nontumor tissue, whereas in gamma 2 levels were elevated in specimens with increased amounts of myoepithelial cells. These ln-5 expression changes could not be attributed to large-scale mutations or gene rearrangements. Ln-5 protein levels were found to reflect mRNA levels in representative cell lines. At senescence, a growth state believed to suppress tumorigenesis, expression of all three ln-5 mRNAs was up-regulated. CONCLUSION: The down-regulation of ln-5 mRNA expression in breast tumors cells provides a new molecular marker and suggests that ln-5 functions to control tumor progression in the breast.     

The role of IL-18 in the modulation of matrix metalloproteinases and migration of human natural killer (NK) cells

In this study, we examined whether interleukin-18 (IL-18) affects natural killer (NK) cells' migration and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) production. We demonstrated that chemotaxis of human NK cells through basement membrane-like Matrigel was augmented by IL-18. As well, IL-18 stimulation induces the production of activated forms of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) as well as the production of pro-MMP-2 from NK cells. We also demonstrated that MT1-MMP expression on human NK cells, which is a major activator of MMP-2, was induced by IL-18 stimulation coordinated with MMP-2 activation. These data suggest that the MT1-MMP/MMP-2 system participates in the degradation of basement membrane components and thus contributes to NK cell migration.     

Regulation of cell invasion and morphogenesis in a three-dimensional type I collagen matrix by membrane-type matrix metalloproteinases 1, 2, and 3

During tissue-invasive events, migrating cells penetrate type I collagen-rich interstitial tissues by mobilizing undefined proteolytic enzymes. To screen for members of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family that mediate collagen-invasive activity, an in vitro model system was developed wherein MDCK cells were stably transfected to overexpress each of ten different MMPs that have been linked to matrix remodeling states. MDCK cells were then stimulated with scatter factor/hepatocyte growth factor (SF/HGF) to initiate invasion and tubulogenesis atop either type I collagen or interstitial stroma to determine the ability of MMPs to accelerate, modify, or disrupt morphogenic responses. Neither secreted collagenases (MMP-1 and MMP-13), gelatinases (gelatinase A or B), stromelysins (MMP-3 and MMP-11), or matrilysin (MMP-7) affected SF/HGF-induced responses. By contrast, the membrane-anchored metalloproteinases, membrane-type 1 MMP, membrane-type 2 MMP, and membrane-type 3 MMP (MT1-, MT2-, and MT3-MMP) each modified the morphogenic program. Of the three MT-MMPs tested, only MT1-MMP and MT2-MMP were able to directly confer invasion-incompetent cells with the ability to penetrate type I collagen matrices. MT-MMP-dependent invasion proceeded independently of proMMP-2 activation, but required the enzymes to be membrane-anchored to the cell surface. These findings demonstrate that MT-MMP-expressing cells can penetrate and remodel type I collagen-rich tissues by using membrane-anchored metalloproteinases as pericellular collagenases.     

Matrix-metalloproteinases in bronchopulmonary carcinomas.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) represent a group of enzymes involved in the degradation of most of the components of the extracellular matrix and therefore participate in tumoural invasion. MMPs, especially gelatinases A and B, MT1-MMP, the activator of gelatinase A, and stromelysin-3 were found overexpressed in many cancers including bronchopulmonary carcinomas. In vivo observations revealed that fibroblasts are the principal source of production of MMPs. Some of these enzymes such as MT1-MMP and stromelysin 3, displayed a focal stromal localisation near preinvasive and invasive tumour clusters. Furthermore, some tumour cell lines were shown to stimulate the expression of MT1-MMP by fibroblasts. All these in vivo and in vitro results suggest that certain tumour cells produce diffusible factors which could influence the MMP stromal expression. Among these factors, the TCSF (Tumor Collagenase Stimulatory Factor) which is known to upregulate some MMPs in vitro could be a good candidate for this stromal regulation, since it is produced by bronchial tumour cells in vivo. In this review, we address such a cooperation between tumour and stromal cells for the production of MMPs and emphasize their necessity for tumoural progression in bronchopulmonary carcinomas.     

Cleavage of syndecan-1 by membrane type matrix metalloproteinase-1 stimulates cell migration

The transmembrane heparan sulfate proteoglycan syndecan-1 was identified from a human placenta cDNA library by the expression cloning method as a gene product that interacts with membrane type matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MT1-MMP). Co-expression of MT1-MMP with syndecan-1 in HEK293T cells promoted syndecan-1 shedding, and concentration of cell-associated syndecan-1 was reduced. Treatment of cells with MMP inhibitor BB-94 or tissue inhibitor of MMP (TIMP)-2 but not TIMP-1 interfered with the syndecan-1 shedding promoted by MT1-MMP expression. In contrast, syndecan-1 shedding induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate treatment was inhibited by BB-94 but not by either TIMP-1 or TIMP-2. Shedding of syndecan-1 was also induced by MT3-MMP but not by other MT-MMPs. Recombinant syndecan-1 core protein was shown to be cleaved by recombinant MT1-MMP or MT3-MMP preferentially at the Gly245-Leu246 peptide bond. HT1080 fibrosarcoma cells stably transfected with the syndecan-1 cDNA (HT1080/SDC), which express endogenous MT1-MMP, spontaneously shed syndecan-1. Migration of HT1080/SDC cells on collagen-coated dishes was significantly slower than that of control HT1080 cells. Treatment of HT1080/SDC cells with BB-94 or TIMP-2 induced accumulation of syndecan-1 on the cell surface, concomitant with further retardation of cell migration. Substitution of Gly245 of syndecan-1 with Leu significantly reduced shedding from HT1080/SDC cells and cell migration. These results suggest that the shedding of syndecan-1 promoted by MT1-MMP through the preferential cleavage of Gly245-Leu246 peptide bond stimulates cell migration.     

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) safeguard osteoblasts from apoptosis during transdifferentiation into osteocytes: MT1-MMP maintains osteocyte viability

Osteoblasts undergo apoptosis or differentiate into either osteocytes or bone-lining cells after termination of bone matrix synthesis. In this study, we investigated the role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in differentiation of osteoblasts, bone formation, transdifferentiation into osteocytes, and osteocyte apoptosis. This was accomplished by using calvarial sections from the MT1-MMP-deficient mouse and by culture of the mouse osteoblast cell line MC3T3-E1 and primary mouse calvarial osteoblasts. We found that a synthetic matrix metalloprotease inhibitor, GM6001, strongly inhibited bone formation in vitro of both primary osteoblasts and MC3T3 cells by approximately 75%. To further investigate at which level of osteoblast differentiation MMP inhibition was attenuating osteoblast function, we found that neither preosteoblast nor mature osteoblast activity was affected. In contrast, cell survival of osteoblasts forced to transdifferentiate into osteocytes in 3D type I collagen gels were inhibited by more than 50% when exposed to 10 microM GM6001 and to Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2), a natural MT1-MMP inhibitor. This shows the importance of MMPs in safeguarding osteoblasts from apoptosis when transdifferentiating into osteocytes. By examination of osteoblasts and osteocytes embedded in calvarial bone in the MT1-MMP deficient mice, we found that MT1-MMP deficient mice had 10-fold higher levels of apoptotic osteocytes than wild-type controls. We have previously shown that MT1-MMP activates latent Transforming Growth Factorbeta (TGF-beta). These findings strongly suggest that MT1-MMP-activated TGF-beta maintains osteoblast survival during transdifferentiation into osteocytes, and maintains mature osteocyte viability. Thus, the interrelationship of MMPs and TGF-beta may play an important role in bone formation and maintenance.     

靶向膜型1基质金属蛋白酶反义肽的虚拟筛选与分子模拟

膜型1基质金属蛋白酶(Membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase,MT1-MMP,MMP14)在肿瘤的发生发展及转移中起着重要作用,是肿瘤潜在理想的药物靶标。为了获得MT1-MMP结合肽,我们首先采用生物信息学方法分析MMPs序列,获得MT1-MMP差异大且特异的序列。以此为正义肽靶标,设计反义肽库,然后通过分子对接、分子动力学模拟以及体外细胞实验等多种方法,进行靶向MT1-MMP反义肽的筛选与活性研究。多序列比对确定了位于MT1-MMP环区的特异序列AYIREGHE(简称MT1-loop),并构建1 536条反义肽。经两轮虚拟筛选,选取打分位于前五的反义肽用于后续研究。该五条反义肽与MT1-MMP存在较强的相互作用且能很好地对接于正义肽区域。进一步分析其与MMPs其他家族成员(MMP1-3,MMP7-13,MMP14HPX,MMP16)的亲和力,发现反义肽FVTFPYIR对MT1-MMP具有更强的特异性。分子动力学模拟表明,反义肽FVTFPYIR可能是通过影响受体MT1-MMP的构象稳定性,进而影响其功能活性。体外细胞实验初步确定反义肽FVTFPYIR可选择性地抑制表达MT1-MMP的人成骨肉瘤细胞MG63和乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞的增殖。本研究为抗肿瘤反义肽先导药物的研发提供了一种新的思路与途径。     

Membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase cleaves CD44 and promotes cell migration

Migratory cells including invasive tumor cells frequently express CD44, a major receptor for hyaluronan and membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) that degrades extracellular matrix at the pericellular region. In this study, we demonstrate that MT1-MMP acts as a processing enzyme for CD44H, releasing it into the medium as a soluble 70-kD fragment. Furthermore, this processing event stimulates cell motility; however, expression of either CD44H or MT1-MMP alone did not stimulate cell motility. Coexpression of MT1-MMP and mutant CD44H lacking the MT1-MMP-processing site did not result in shedding and did not promote cell migration, suggesting that the processing of CD44H by MT1-MMP is critical in the migratory stimulation. Moreover, expression of the mutant CD44H inhibited the cell migration promoted by CD44H and MT1-MMP in a dominant-negative manner. The pancreatic tumor cell line, MIA PaCa-2, was found to shed the 70-kD CD44H fragment in a MT1-MMP-dependent manner. Expression of the mutant CD44H in the cells as well as MMP inhibitor treatment effectively inhibited the migration, suggesting that MIA PaCa-2 cells indeed use the CD44H and MT1-MMP as migratory devices. These findings revealed a novel interaction of the two molecules that have each been implicated in tumor cell migration and invasion.     

Matrix-dependent proteolysis of surface transglutaminase by membrane-type metalloproteinase regulates cancer cell adhesion and locomotion

Cell invasion requires cooperation between adhesion receptors and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Membrane type (MT)-MMPs have been thought to be primarily involved in the breakdown of the extracellular matrix. Our report presents evidence that MT-MMPs in addition to the breakdown of the extracellular matrix may be engaged in proteolysis of adhesion receptors on tumor cell surfaces. Overexpression of MT1-MMP by glioma and fibrosarcoma cells led to proteolytic degradation of cell surface tissue transglutaminase (tTG) at the leading edge of motile cancer cells. In agreement, structurally related MT1-MMP, MT2-MMP, and MT3-MMP but not evolutionary distant MT4-MMP efficiently degraded purified tTG in vitro. Because cell surface tTG represents a ubiquitously expressed, potent integrin-binding adhesion coreceptor involved in the binding of cells to fibronectin (Fn), the proteolytic degradation of tTG by MT1-MMP specifically suppressed cell adhesion and migration on Fn. Reciprocally, Fn in vitro and in cultured cells protected its surface receptor, tTG, from proteolysis by MT1-MMP, thereby supporting cell adhesion and locomotion. In contrast, the proteolytic degradation of tTG stimulated migration of cells on collagen matrices. Together, our observations suggest both an important coreceptor role for cell surface tTG and a novel regulatory function of membrane-anchored MMPs in cancer cell adhesion and locomotion. Proteolysis of adhesion proteins colocalized with MT-MMPs at discrete regions on the surface of migrating tumor cells might be controlled by composition of the surrounding ECM.