title: Expression of collagenase-3 (matrix metalloproteinase-13) in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck.
abstract: Squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) of the head and neck are malignant tumors with high capacity to invade and metastasize. We have examined expression of the new collagenase, collagenase-3 (MMP-13), in SCCs of the head and neck. MMP-13 mRNAs were detected in 22 of 29 SCC cell lines: in 14 of 15 primary SCC cell lines and in 8 of 14 SCC cell lines from recurrent tumors or metastases. MMP-13 mRNAs were expressed by all 6 cell lines from highly invasive primary tumors and in all 4 cell lines from small aggressive tumors. Using in situ hybridization, MMP-13 mRNAs were detected in 15 of 17 SCC tumor samples. In most tumors, MMP-13 was expressed by tumor cells at the invading front of the tumors, but in a subset of SCCs, MMP-13 mRNA was also expressed by stromal fibroblasts. No MMP-13 expression was detected in intact skin or oral mucosa. MMP-13 mRNA levels in SCC cells were enhanced by transforming growth factor-beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, transforming growth factor-alpha, and keratinocyte growth factor. Specific expression of MMP-13 by SCC cells in vitro and in vivo strongly suggests a role for MMP-13 in the high invasion capacity of SCC cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Turku University Central Hospital, Finland.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Johansson
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Airola
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Grénman
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Kariniemi
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Saarialho-Kere
authors.forename: V M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Kähäri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000201:enzymology*; D017364:Collagenases / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology*; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D053509:Matrix Metalloproteinase 13; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D017364:Collagenases; C507079:MMP13 protein, human; D053509:Matrix Metalloproteinase 13