Endothelium specific matrilysin (MMP-7) expression in human cancers.
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.
Sier
Cornelis F M
CF
Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands. c.f.m.sier@lumc.nl
Hawinkels
Lukas J A C
LJ
Zijlmans
Henry J M A A
HJ
Zuidwijk
Kim
K
de Jonge-Muller
Eveline S M
ES
Ferreira
Valérie
V
Hanemaaijer
Roeland
R
Mulder-Stapel
Adri A
AA
Kenter
Gemma G
GG
Verspaget
Hein W
HW
Gorter
Arko
A
D002277:Carcinoma / Q000201:enzymology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004727:Endothelium / Q000201:enzymology*; D005260:Female; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D020783:Matrix Metalloproteinase 7 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D018874:Spheroids, Cellular / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000166:cytology; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology*
D020783:Matrix Metalloproteinase 7