title: [Chemokine receptor 7 induces metastasis of NSCLC via upregulating MMP-9 expression].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It has been proven that CC chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) is closely related with the lymph node metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but the mechanism of NSCLC metastasis is not very clear. The aim of this study is to investigate the expressions of CCR7 and MMP-9 in NSCLC and the relationship of their expressions, and to explore the mechanism of CCR7 promoting NSCLC metastasis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The expressions of CCR7 and MMP-9 protein were detected in 90 specimens of human primary NSCLC by immunohistochemical SP method. Human large lung cell line BE1 cells were pre-incubated with CCL19 for 24 h; the changes of MMP-9 were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Immunohistochemistry showed that CCR7 was distributed in cytoplasm and/or membrane of tumor cells and MMP-9 was distributed in cytoplasm of cancer cells. The expressions of CCR7 and MMP-9 protein were found to be 70% (63/90) and 65.5% (59/90) in NSCLC, respectively. The expressions of CCR7 and MMP-9 protein were closely related to the clinical stages (P=0.003, P=0.001) and lymph node metastasis (P=0.004, P=0.003) of NSCLC, but there was no correlation with age, gender, histology (P > 0.05). Furthermore, a significant correlation was found between CCR7 and MMP-9 (r=0.342, P=0.001). In addition, the expressions of MMP-9 mRNA and protein levels were increased in CCL19 pre-incubated group (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The expressions of CCR7 and MMP-9 are significantly associated with NSCLC invasion and metastasis. The upregulation of MMP-9 is regulated by CCR7 in NSCLC.
authors.affiliation: Tianjin Key Laboratory of Lung Cancer Metastasis and Tumor Microenviroment, Tianjin Lung Cancer Institute, Tianjin Medical Univercity General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China.
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nan
authors.forename: Zhanque
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Qinghua
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhou
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D054400:Receptors, CCR7 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015854:Up-Regulation; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D054400:Receptors, CCR7; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9