title: Differential expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 by fibroblasts in co-cultures with keratinocytes, basal cell carcinoma and melanoma.
abstract: To address whether matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 expression by mesenchymal fibroblasts may be differentially modulated by interactions with normal or malignant epidermal cells, we set up a fibroblast co-culture model separately with keratinocytes, basal cell carcinoma cells and melanoma cells. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and gelatin zymography were used to detect and quantify the expression of MMP-2 by these different kinds of cells. In independent cultures, MMP-2 was highly expressed by fibroblasts and melanoma cells constitutively, but barely expressed by keratinocytes and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) cells. MMP-2 expression by fibroblasts was downregulated in co-cultures with keratinocytes or BCC cells, but not with melanoma cells. These results indicate that epidermal-mesenchymal interactions are important modulators for MMP-2 expression by cutaneous cells and suggest a host-defense mechanism against the tumor progression of BCC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Gwo-Shing
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Mei-Pao
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Meng-Tse
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000201:enzymology*; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008545:Melanoma / Q000201:enzymology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology*
chemical_list: D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2