Cell surface activation of progelatinase A （proMMP—2） and cell migration

Gelatinase A (MMP-2) is considered to play a critical role in cell migration and invasion.The proteinase is cerceted from the cell as an inactive zymogen.In vivo it is postulated that activation of progelationase A (proMMP-2) takes place on the cell surface mediated by membrane-type matrix metalloproteinases (MT-MMPs).Recent studies have demonstrated that proMMP-2 is recruited to the cell surface by interacting with tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2) bound to MT1-MMP by forming a ternary complex.Free MT1-MMP closely located to the ternary complex then activates proMMP-2 on the cell surface.MT1-MMP is found in cultured invasive cancer cells at the invadopodia.The MT-MMP/TIMP-2/MMP-2 system thus provides localized expression of proteolysis of the extracellular matrix required for cell migration.     

EGFR and HER2 exert distinct roles on colon cancer cell functional properties and expression of matrix macromolecules

Background

ErbB receptors, EGFR and HER2, have been implicated in the development and progression of colon cancer. Several intracellular pathways are mediated upon activation of EGFR and/or HER2 by EGF. However, there are limited data regarding the EGF-mediated signaling affecting functional cell properties and the expression of extracellular matrix macromolecules implicated in cancer progression.

Methods

Functional assays, such as cell proliferation, transwell invasion assay and migration were performed to evaluate the impact of EGFR/HER2 in constitutive and EGF-treated Caco-2 cells. Signaling pathways were evaluated using specific intracellular inhibitors. Western blot was also utilized to examine the phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2. Real time PCR was performed to evaluate gene expression of matrix macromolecules.

Results

EGF increases cell proliferation, invasion and migration and importantly, EGF mediates overexpression of EGFR and downregulation of HER2. The EGF–EGFR axis is the main pathway affecting colon cancer's invasive potential, proliferative and migratory ability. Intracellular pathways (PI3K-Akt, MEK1/2-Erk and JAK-STAT) are all implicated in the migratory profile. Notably, MT1- and MT2-MMP as well as TIMP-2 are downregulated, whereas uPA is upregulated via an EGF–EGFR network. The EGF–EGFR axis is also implicated in the expression of syndecan-4 and TIMP-1. However, glypican-1 upregulation by EGF is mainly mediated via HER2.

Conclusions and general significance

The obtained data highlight the crucial importance of EGF on the expression of both receptors and on the EGF–EGFR/HER2 signaling network, reveal the distinct roles of EGFR and HER2 on expression of matrix macromolecules and open a new area in designing novel agents in targeting colon cancer. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Matrix-mediated cell behaviour and properties.     

膜型基质金属蛋白酶亚家族和基质金属蛋白酶-2在人恶性造血细胞株中的表达谱及其相关性

为探讨不同恶性血液病中膜型基质金属蛋白酶（memberane-type matrix metalloproteinases, MT-MMPs）和基质金属蛋白酶-2（matrix metalloproteinase-2,MMP-2）的表达差异,用半定量RT-PCR检测了13株不同谱系恶性造血细胞株中MT-MMPs和MMP-2的mRNA表达差异.明胶酶谱法分析各细胞株MMP-2的酶活,并用流式细胞术检测了MT1-MMP蛋白的表达,用SPSS10.0分析了各基因的表达与细胞来源的相关性和各基因相互间表达的相关性.结果提示,各种MT-MMPs和MMP-2在13株细胞中呈现不同的表达谱,其中MT2、MT4、MT1-MMP和MMP-2表达较广泛,而MT3、MT5、MT6-MMP在检测的细胞株中较少表达.统计分析显示,MT-MMPs和MMP-2的表达与细胞的来源无明显的相关性（P>0.1）,而MT1-MMP和MMP-2的表达有相关性（P<0.05）.同时也发现,MT3-MMP和MT5-MMP的表达有相关性（P<0.05）.MT-MMPs在恶性造血细胞中的表达差异,提示它们在不同类型的血液系统肿瘤发展中发挥各自独特的作用.另外,MT1 MMP和MMP-2,MT3-MMP和MT5-MMP之间表达的相关性提示,它们在功能上密切相关.