Abstract
BackgroundMatrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP7), as the smallest member of the matrix metalloproteinase family, has been verified to be implicated in cancer progression, especially metastasis. However, its expression pattern and function in tongue cancer is not clear.MethodsThe expression of MMP7 in human tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) specimens compared with their respective paired nontumour tissues by real-time PCR and immunohistochemical staining. The effect of MMP7 on the proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion of tongue cancer cells was tested in appropriate ways after MMP7 siRNA knockdown or overexpression. The effect of MMP7 on lymph node metastasis in vivo was analyzed using a high-metastasis orthotopic nude mouse tongue transplanted tumour model.ResultsWe found markedly elevated expression of MMP7 in human TSCC specimens compared with their respective paired nontumour tissues, and this high expression was correlated with the patients’ lymph node metastasis. Furthermore, the results of molecular functional assays confirmed that MMP7 promotes cell proliferation, migration and invasion of TSCC cells. Knockdown of MMP7 inhibited lymph nodes metastasis in vivo.ConclusionsMMP7 plays an oncogenic role in carcinogenesis and metastasis of tongue cancer, and may serve as a potential therapeutic target for tongue cancer.
Highlights
Matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP7), as the smallest member of the matrix metalloproteinase family, has been verified to be implicated in cancer progression, especially metastasis
Many researchers have focused on the key role of Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) in carcinogenesis, especially cancer cell invasion and metastasis, because the extracellular matrix (ECM) and basement membranes act as physical barriers to the process of hematogenous and lymph node metastasis, which have been recognized as essential steps in the complicated process of malignant cell movement to the adjacent soft tissue, surrounding muscles and bones or even distant organs
Elevated expression of matrix metalloproteinase 7 in tongue squamous cell carcinoma is correlated with a poor patient clinical outcome To investigate the expression pattern of MMP7 in tongue squamous cell carcinoma, real-time PCR was utilized to measure the mRNA expression level
Summary
Matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP7), as the smallest member of the matrix metalloproteinase family, has been verified to be implicated in cancer progression, especially metastasis. Some therapeutic advances combined with refined surgical resection operation such as novel chemotherapy and accurate radiotherapy have been achieved, the overall survival of patients with TSCC has Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), a large family of zinc- and calcium-dependent endopeptidases comprising 24 members to date, demonstrate the common ability to degrade almost all components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and basement membranes. Many researchers have focused on the key role of MMPs in carcinogenesis, especially cancer cell invasion and metastasis, because the ECM and basement membranes act as physical barriers to the process of hematogenous and lymph node metastasis, which have been recognized as essential steps in the complicated process of malignant cell movement to the adjacent soft tissue, surrounding muscles and bones or even distant organs. Previous investigations have demonstrated that overexpression of MMP7 may contribute to many malignant tumours, including colorectal cancer [12, 13], pancreatic cancer [14, 15], lung cancer [16], and prostate cancer [17], indicating that MMP7 could be a critical molecular biomarker for oncogenicity
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