Biobehavioral influences on matrix metalloproteinase expression in ovarian carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
Stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment, such as macrophages, play an active role in tumor growth and angiogenesis. However, little is known about relationships of biobehavioral factors with angiogenic cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) produced by stromal cells. This study examined distress, MMPs, and angiogenic cytokines in ovarian cancer patients and in vitro.


METHODS
Patients suspected of ovarian cancer completed preoperative questionnaires. At surgery, 56 were confirmed to have epithelial ovarian cancer. Tumor samples were analyzed for macrophage (CD68(+)) and tumor cell levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, and vascular endothelial growth factor. In vitro stimulation of isolated macrophage cells by the stress hormones norepinephrine and cortisol was done to assess effects on MMP-9.


RESULTS
Depressed patients showed significant elevations of MMP-9 in CD68(+) cells, adjusting for stage (P<0.0001). Patients with higher levels of current stress (P=0.01), life stress over the last 6 months (P=0.004), and general negative affect (P=0.007) also showed significantly greater MMP-9 in CD68(+) cells. In contrast, higher social support was associated with lower levels of MMP-9 (P=0.023) and vascular endothelial growth factor (P=0.036) in tumor cells. In vitro analyses showed that macrophage MMP-9 production could be directly enhanced (up to a 2-fold increase) by the stress hormones norepinephrine and cortisol.


CONCLUSIONS
Ovarian cancer patients with elevated depressive symptoms, chronic stress, and low social support showed elevations in MMP-9 in tumor-associated macrophages. Direct in vitro enhancement of stromal MMP-9 production by stress hormones was also shown. These findings may have implications for patient outcomes in ovarian cancer.
Lutgendorf
Susan K
SK
Department of Psychology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA. susan-lutgendorf@uiowa.edu
Lamkin
Donald M
DM
Jennings
Nicholas B
NB
Arevalo
Jesusa M G
JM
Penedo
Frank
F
DeGeest
Koen
K
Langley
Robert R
RR
Lucci
Joseph A
JA
Cole
Steve W
SW
Lubaroff
David M
DM
Sood
Anil K
AK
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001519:Behavior; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000201:enzymology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000494:pharmacology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000201:enzymology; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000201:enzymology*; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications / Q000201:enzymology*
D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D009638:Norepinephrine