Reduced angiogenesis and tumor progression in gelatinase A-deficient mice
Itoh, T.; Tanioka, M.; Yoshida, H.; Yoshioka, T.; Nishimoto, H.; Itohara, S.
Cancer Research 58(5): 1048-1051
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0008-5472 PMID: 9500469 Document Number: 488410
Matrix proteolysis is thought to play a crucial role in several stages of tumor progression, including angiogenesis, and the invasion and metastasis of tumor cells. We investigated the specific role of gelatinase A (matrix metalloproteinase 2) on these events using gelatinase A-deficient mice. In these mice, tumor-induced angiogenesis was suppressed according to dorsal air sac assay. When B16-BL6 melanoma cells or Lewis lung carcinoma cells were implanted intradermally, the tumor volumes at 3 weeks after implantation in the gelatinase A-deficient mice decreased by 39% for B16-BL6 melanoma and by 24% for Lewis lung carcinoma (P < 0.03 for each tumor). The number of lung colonies of i.v. injections fell by 54% for B16-BL6 melanoma and 77% for Lewis lung carcinoma (P < 0.014 and P < 0.0015, respectively). These results indicated that host-derived gelatinase A plays an important role in angiogenesis and tumor progression, suggesting the usefulness of gelatinase A inhibitors for anticancer chemotherapy.