Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma, Aggressive Fibromatosis and Benign Fibrous Tumors Express mRNA for the Metalloproteinase Inducer EMMPRIN and the Metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MT1-MMP

• Purpose:Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) has been shown to stimulate fibroblasts to production of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). MMPs comprise a family of proteolytic enzymes implicated in the degradation of extracellular matrix which has been proposed to be one of the essential steps in tumor invasion and metastases. In the present study we investigated the expression and location of mRNAs forEMMPRIN, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), and membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) in mesenchymal tumors with different tendencies to recur or metastasize.Subjects:Eight malignant fibrous histiocytomas (MFH), seven aggressive fibromatosis (AF), and six benign fibrous tumors (BF).Method:The mRNA-expression ofEMMPRIN,MMP-2andMT1-MMPwere studied using mRNAin situhybridization technique.Results:The mRNA-expression ofEMMPRIN,MMP-2andMT1-MMPrespectively were found at varying frequency and level in all tumor types. The mRNAs corresponding toEMMPRINandMMP-2were seen in neoplastic cells as well as in endothelial cells both inside and outside the tumor pseudo-capsule, whereasMT1-MMPwas seen only within the tumors. The estimated mRNA levels ofEMMPRINandMMP-2covariated significantly. Overall, the highest expression was found in the MFH tumors and the lowest levels in the BF tumors.Discussion:These findings suggest that the MMP-inducerEMMPRINand the extracellular matrix degrading system involving the metalloproteinasesMMP-2andMT1-MMPis frequently activated in mesenchymal tumors. The covariation betweenEMMPRINandMMP-2support previous findings that EMMPRIN may be an inducer of MMP-2. The high levels ofMMP-2mRNA in MFH indicate a relationship between the proteolytic activity ofMMP-2and the tumor aggressiveness.

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