title: Expression and localization of membrane-type-1 matrix metalloproteinase, CD 44, and laminin-5gamma2 chain during colorectal carcinoma tumor progression.
abstract: Membrane-type-1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) is overexpressed in many malignant tumor tissues and would be involved in tumor-cell migration. Using dual immunofluorescence of frozen sections, this study examined the expression and localization of MT1-MMP and its interacting molecules, CD44 and laminin-5gamma2 chain (LN-5gamma2) monomer, in 48 cases of colorectal tumors. Recent studies have shown that MT1-MMP, CD44 and LN-5gamma2 are direct downstream targets in the adenomatosis polyposis coli (APC)/beta-catenin (Wnt)-signaling pathway, which is upregulated in most colorectal epithelial tumors. MT1-MMP overexpression was observed in adenocarcinoma cases with moderate and/or less differentiation coinciding with CD44 downmodulation. Recent observations indicate that MT1-MMP overexpression disrupts tubulogenesis of MDCK cells in type-I collagen-rich tissues. Therefore, MT1-MMP overexpression might involve disturbances of neoplastic glandular structures during colorectal adenocarcinoma tumor progression. Intensity distribution analyses of images with dual immunofluorescence indicated that overexpressed MT1-MMP is closely associated with the enhanced expression of the LN-5gamma2 monomers at the invasive front of dedifferentiated tumor cells. Additionally, the graded expression of nuclear active beta-catenin was found in moderately differentiated and dedifferentiated areas of adenocarcinomas, where MT1-MMP overexpression was observed. Therefore, this study reveals that MT1-MMP might be a major effector of Wnt signaling in the late stage of colorectal carcinoma tumor progression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Tumor Pathology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, 260-8670 Chiba, Japan.
authors.forename: Shinji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Murai
authors.forename: Toshifumi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Umemiya
authors.forename: Motoharu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Seiki
authors.forename: Kenichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Harigaya
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors / Q000378:metabolism*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D053504:Matrix Metalloproteinases, Membrane-Associated; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000503:physiopathology; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D051153:Wnt Proteins; D000097794:Kalinin
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors; D053504:Matrix Metalloproteinases, Membrane-Associated; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D051153:Wnt Proteins; D000097794:Kalinin