Down-regulation of urokinase plasminogen activator and matrix metalloproteinases and up-regulation of their inhibitors by a novel nutrient mixture in human prostate cancer cell lines PC-3 and DU-145

Oncol Rep. 2011 Dec;26(6):1407-13. doi: 10.3892/or.2011.1434. Epub 2011 Aug 24.

Abstract

Strong clinical and experimental evidence shows that elevated levels of urokinase plasminogen activators (u-PA) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are associated with prostate cancer progression, metastasis and shortened survival in patients. MMP activities are regulated by specific tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). A nutrient mixture (NM) containing lysine, proline, ascorbic acid and green tea extract showed anticancer activity against a number of cancer cell lines. Our main objective was to study the effect of NM on the activity of u-PA, MMPs and their inhibitor TIMPs on human prostate cancer cell lines PC-3 and DU-145. Human prostate cancer cell lines PC-3 and DU-145 (ATCC) were grown in MEM media with 10% FBS and antibiotics in 24‑well tissue culture plates. At near confluence, the cells were treated with NM at 0-1000 µg/ml in triplicate at each concentration. Analysis of u-PA activity was carried out by fibrin zymography, MMPs by gelatinase zymography and TIMPs by reverse zymography. Both PC-3 and DU-145 prostate cancer cell lines demonstrated u-PA activity (subunits 1 and 2, corresponding to 35 and 33 kDa). Prostate cancer cell line PC-3 secretion of u-PA subunit 1 was decreased by 65% at NM 500 µg/ml and subunit 2 by 100% at NM 50 µg/ml. Prostate cancer cell line DU-145 secretion of u-PA subunit 1 was decreased by 97% at NM 500 µg/ml and subunit 2 by 100% at NM 100 µg/ml. Untreated PC-3 showed two bands for MMP-2 and MMP-9. NM inhibited their expression in a dose-dependent manner. The activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was significantly inhibited at 250 µg/ml with total inhibition at 500 µg/ml. DU-145 cells did not exhibit MMP activity. Activity of TIMPs was up-regulated in both prostate cancer cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. Minimum activity was expressed at 50 µg/ml NM and maximum at 1000 µg/ml. Correlation analyses revealed a positive correlation between u-PA and MMPs and a negative correlation between u-PA/MMPs and TIMPs. These results suggest NM as a potential anticancer agent since it targets invasive parameters of prostate cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Culture Media / pharmacology*
  • Enzyme Assays
  • Gene Expression / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / genetics
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / metabolism*
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / genetics
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / metabolism*
  • Micronutrients / pharmacology
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases / genetics
  • Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases / metabolism*
  • Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator / genetics
  • Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator / metabolism*

Substances

  • Culture Media
  • Micronutrients
  • Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases
  • Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator
  • MMP2 protein, human
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9