[MT1-MMP up-regulates VEGF expression in human breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells and induces tumor angiogenesis].
OBJECTIVE
To study the function of MT1-MMP in tumor angiogenesis and elucidate the possible way of action that MT1-MMP contributes to angiogenesis.


METHODS
MT1-MMP was transfected into human breast carcinoma cell line MCF-7 cells. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR and immunofluorescence staining were employed to detect the expression of VEGF in the transfected and non-transfected MCF-7 cells. Tumor growth, microvessel density and expression of VEGF in nude mice were detected through in vivo tumorigenicity assay.


RESULTS
In MT1-MMP stable transfected MCF-7 cells, mRNA expression of VEGF(189), VEGF(165), and VEGF(121) and immunofluorescence intensity were significantly elevated (P < 0.001). In vivo tumorigenicity assay in the nude mice showed that MT1-MMP promoted tumor growth. The MVD in the MT1-MMP-transfected cells-transplanted tumor tissue was significantly elevated (P < 0.05). Immunohistochemical assay showed that there was a strong immunostaining of VEGF in those tumor tissues.


CONCLUSIONS
MT1-MMP can induce tumor angiogenesis through up-regulation of VEGF expression. This function of MT1-MMP may open a new approach for clinical anti-tumor research and anti-tumor drug development.
Deng
Yi-ping
YP
The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China.
Li
Wei
W
Li
Yi-lei
YL
Xu
Hua
H
Liang
Shan-shan
SS
Zhang
Li-hong
LH
Li
Yu-lin
YL
D000818:Animals; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D053511:Matrix Metalloproteinase 14 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D055806:Microvessels / Q000473:pathology; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000473:pathology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D047368:Tumor Burden; D015854:Up-Regulation; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C507086:MMP14 protein, human; D053511:Matrix Metalloproteinase 14