Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) Cells Require Both α3β1 Integrin and Matrix Metalloproteinases Activity for Migration and Invasion

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent malignant tumor of the liver; prognosis depends on the tendency to metastasize. Cancer cell invasion is regulated by proteolytic remodeling of extracellular matrix components and by integrin expression. We have shown that matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and membrane-type–1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) cleave Laminin-5 (Ln-5), stimulating cell migration. Here we report that all HCC cells express MT1-MMP, migrate on Ln-1 and Collagen IV, whereas only HCC cells that express α3β1 integrin secrete detectable levels of gelatinases, migrate on Ln-5, and invade through a reconstituted basement membrane (BM). Migration on Ln-5 is blocked by BB-94, an MMP inhibitor, and by MIG1, a monoclonal antibody that hinders migration on MMP-2–cleaved Ln-5. Invasion through a reconstituted BM is also inhibited by BB-94. HCC α3β1-negative cells migrate on Ln-1 and Collagen IV, but not on Ln-5, and do not invade through a reconstituted BM, although they express MT1-MMP. Anti-α3β1 blocking antibodies inhibit gelatinase activation, cell motility, and cell invasion through Matrigel. In vivo, α3β1 integrin and Ln-5 are expressed in HCC tissue but not in normal liver. In conclusion, our data suggest that both α3β1 integrin and gelatinase activity are required for HCC migration and invasion.