Objective: To investigate the correlation between matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) activities and metastatic potential of several groups of human carcinoma cells with different metastatic potential.
Methods: Several groups of human carcinoma cell lines (human lung carcinoma, human prostatic carcinoma and melanoma) with different metastatic potential were selected. By using cell culture, collection and concentration of conditioned media and zymographic analysis method the difference of MMPs production and activity among those cell lines were detected.
Results: The MMPs production capabilities of carcinoma cells rose following the increase of their invasive and metastatic potentials: that of PG is much higher than PAa's, and BE1 is higher also than CL3 and LH7. Advanced stage melanoma cell WM983a and WM451 product MMP-9, but primary stage cells don't. There are MMP-9 in the conditioned medium of prostatic carcinoma cell PC-3M, the metastatic clone of PC-3 which don't express MMP-9.
Conclusion: The expression of MMPs especially MMP-9 of carcinoma cells is closely correlated to the metastatic and invasive potential.