AlphaVbeta6 integrin promotes invasion of squamous carcinoma cells through up-regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-9

Int J Cancer. 2001 Jun 1;92(5):641-50. doi: 10.1002/1097-0215(20010601)92:5<641::aid-ijc1243>3.0.co;2-p.

Abstract

The integrin alphaVbeta6 is a fibronectin receptor, which is not detectable on normal epithelium but is neo-expressed in oral epithelial dysplasia and oral squamous-cell carcinoma (SCC), suggesting a role in promoting malignant behaviour and tumour progression. We used transfection and retroviral infection to create a panel of SCC cell lines expressing various levels of alphaVbeta6 to examine this possibility. We found that increased expression of alphaVbeta6 in malignant keratinocytes up-regulates MMP-9 and MMP-2 expression and promotes invasion in an MMP-9-dependent manner. Our results suggest a possible mechanism for the involvement of alphaVbeta6 in squamous carcinoma in vivo.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Neoplasm*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / enzymology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology*
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Movement
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Integrins / analysis
  • Integrins / physiology*
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / analysis
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / biosynthesis
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / biosynthesis*
  • Mice
  • Mouth Neoplasms / enzymology
  • Mouth Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Integrins
  • integrin alphavbeta6
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9