Endothelium specific matrilysin (MMP-7) expression in human cancers. |
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| Authors: | Cornelis F M Sier Lukas J A C Hawinkels Henry J M A A Zijlmans Kim Zuidwijk Eveline S M de Jonge-Muller Valérie Ferreira Roeland Hanemaaijer Adri A Mulder-Stapel Gemma G Kenter Hein W Verspaget Arko Gorter |
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| Affiliation: | Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands. c.f.m.sier@lumc.nl |
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| Abstract: | Over-expression of matrilysin (MMP-7) is predominantly associated with epithelial (pre)malignant cells. In the present study MMP-7 expression is also found in endothelial cells in various human cancer types. Endothelial MMP-7 was associated with CD34 and/or CD105 expression. These immunohistochemical data were confirmed by RT-PCR on VEGF-stimulated endothelial cells. In addition, MMP-7 was also identified in sprouting endothelial cells in vitro. The potential clinical relevance of endothelial MMP-7 was assessed for cervical cancer patients by evaluating the association with overall survival. In contrast to MMP-7 in malignant epithelial cells, MMP-7 expression in endothelial cells showed a significant association with poor survival (LR 5.12, P=0.02, n=30). Our data suggest that MMP-7 is involved in tumor angiogenesis, thereby contributing to malignant growth and hence associated with decreased survival. |
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