Requirement of MMP-3 in anchorage-independent growth of oral squamous cell carcinomas.
BACKGROUND
Matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) is expressed in various carcinomas; however, its function is not clearly established. This study was to assess its possible role in oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs).


METHODS
Specimens of seven oral pre-malignant lesions (OPMLs) and 92 OSCCs were subjected to MMP-3 detection by RT-PCR and Western blot. Antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (AODNs) of MMP-3 were used to transfect OSCC (OECM-1 and SCC-9) and esophageal carcinoma (CE81T/VGH) cell lines, and their growth was subsequently analyzed by XTT and soft-agar colony assay.


RESULTS
MMP-3 transcript was preferentially expressed in OSCCs (71 of 92, 77%) than in OPMLs (two of seven, 29%; P = 0.012). Both MMP-3 transcript and protein levels were significantly higher in OSCC masses than in neighboring tissues (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.04, respectively). Growth of the three cell lines was not affected, while the colony numbers of OECM-1 and CE81T/VGH were significantly reduced by the transfection of MMP-3 AODNs (P = 0.002 and P = 0.004, respectively). SCC-9 did not form colonies in soft-agar/medium.


CONCLUSIONS
MMP-3 function may be required in most OSCCs, and it may support the anchorage-independent growth of both OSCC and esophageal carcinoma.
Liu
Shyun-Yeu
SY
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Section, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan.
Liu
Young-Chau
YC
Huang
Wen-Tsung
WT
Huang
Guan-Cheng
GC
Su
Hsiao-Jing
HJ
Lin
Mei-Huei
MH
D002277:Carcinoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000201:enzymology*; D002452:Cell Count; D002455:Cell Division / Q000235:genetics; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D016373:DNA, Antisense / Q000235:genetics; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology*; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000201:enzymology; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; D014162:Transfection
D016373:DNA, Antisense; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; C059087:2,3-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-5-((phenylamino)carbonyl)-2H-tetrazolium hydroxide; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3