Expression of Stromelysin-3 in the Human Placenta and Placental Bed

in Placenta (1997), 18(4), 277-85

Human placentation is mediated by fetal trophoblastic cells which penetrate into the decidualized uterine endometrium. Trophoblast invasion requires the precisely regulated secretion of specific ... [more ▼]

Human placentation is mediated by fetal trophoblastic cells which penetrate into the decidualized uterine endometrium. Trophoblast invasion requires the precisely regulated secretion of specific proteinases able to degrade the endometrial basement membranes and extracellular matrix. To document further the involvement of these proteinases during human placentation, we evaluated in vivo the expression of stromelysin-3, a member of the metalloproteinase family, during the first and third trimesters of pregnancy, by means of immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization and Northern blot analysis. Human extravillous trophoblasts invading the maternal decidua produced stromelysin-3 during both, the first and third trimesters of pregnancy, but to a lesser extent during the latter. In floating villi, stromelysin-3 expression was restricted to the syncytiotrophoblasts that line intervillous vascular spaces. In conclusion, stromelysin-3 is expressed by differentiated, non-proliferative villous and extravillous trophoblastic cells in early and late placental beds and villi, and its pattern of expression evolves during pregnancy. Our observations suggest that stromelysin-3 could play a role in human placentation. [less ▲]

Intratumoral heterogeneity for hsp90 mRNA levels in a breast cancer cell line

in DNA & Cell Biology (1997), 16

BC-3A and BC-61 are two breast cancer cell lines that have been cloned from parental 8701-BC cells and exhibit different biosynthetic, proliferative, and invasive properties in vitro. In the attempt to ... [more ▼]

BC-3A and BC-61 are two breast cancer cell lines that have been cloned from parental 8701-BC cells and exhibit different biosynthetic, proliferative, and invasive properties in vitro. In the attempt to search whether alterations in the profiles of gene expression could be detected, we have submitted both cytotypes to identification of differentially expressed cDNAs. In addition, steroid hormone receptor mRNA arrays and in vivo tumorigenesis of the two lines have been checked. The technique used allowed identification of changes in the expression of the 90-kD heat shock protein-beta (hsp90beta) which is prominently down-regulated in BC-61 cells. Because we have also found that these cells, which lack estrogen receptor mRNA synthesis, display a more invasive behavior in vitro and increased tumorigenesis in vivo, we propose that evaluation of hsp903 transcript levels may be taken into consideration for screening as a novel molecular marker of breast cancer progression. [less ▲]

Matrix metalloproteinases in choriocarcinoma cell lines: a potential regulatory role of extracellular matrix components

in Foidart, Jean-Michel; Aplin, J.; Kaufmann, P. (Eds.) et al Trophoblast Research. Early Pregnancy (1997)

Emerging Roles for Proteinases in Cancer

in Invasion & Metastasis (1997), 17(5), 221-39

Metalloproteinases and serine proteinases have been associated with tumor invasion and formation of metastasis which represent the major obstacles to cancer cure. The contribution of proteinases in these ... [more ▼]

Metalloproteinases and serine proteinases have been associated with tumor invasion and formation of metastasis which represent the major obstacles to cancer cure. The contribution of proteinases in these processes was initially thought to be the destruction of extracellular matrices. However, recent evidence suggests that they mainly affect tumor growth rather than invasion. Proteinases can indeed generate active matrix protein fragments, influence the release, the activation and the bioavailability of growth factors, and consequently modulate tumor cell growth, apoptosis and angiogenesis. Additionally, proteinases, their receptors and/or inhibitors can be directly involved in cell migration and in the processing or shedding of cell surface proteins. Further elucidation of the functions of proteinases is essential for the development of novel anticancer strategies. [less ▲]

Stromelysin-3: a paradigm for stroma-derived factors implicated in carcinoma progression."

in Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology (1997)

Characterisation of structural determinants and molecular mechanisms involved in Stromelysin-3 activation by 4-aminophenylmercuric acetate and furin-type convertases.

in Biochemical Journal (1996), 315

Stromelysin-3 (ST3) is a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) which has been implicated in cancer progression and in a number of conditions involving tissue remodelling. In contrast to other MMPs which are ... [more ▼]

Stromelysin-3 (ST3) is a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) which has been implicated in cancer progression and in a number of conditions involving tissue remodelling. In contrast to other MMPs which are secreted as zymogens requiring extracellular activation, ST3 is found in the extracellular space as a potentially active mature form, suggesting that the activation of the ST3 proform differs from that of other MMPs. We show in the present study that the ST3 proform is not autocatalytically processed in the presence of 4-aminophenylmercuric acetate (APMA). By using ST3/ST2 chimeras, we demonstrate that resistance to APMA is due to properties associated with both the ST3 pro- and catalytic domains. In agreement with the observation made by Pei and Weiss [Pei and Weiss (1995) Nature (London) 375, 244-247], we find that the requirement for activation of the ST3 proform by the furin convertase is entirely contained within a stretch of 10 amino acids located at the junction between the ST3 pro- and catalytic domains. Furin cleaves human and mouse ST3 equally well. However, PACE-4, a furin-like convertase, is much more efficient on the mouse enzyme, suggesting that ST3 protein determinants other than the conserved Ala-Arg-Asn-Arg-Gln-Lys-Arg sequence preceding the furin cleavage site are implicated in PACE-4 action. Finally, we show that processing of the ST3 proform is inhibited by a furin inhibitor in human MCF7 breast cancer cells stably transfected to constitutively express a full-length human ST3 cDNA. Using brefeldin A, we demonstrate that, in these MCF7 cells, the 56 kDa precursor form of ST3 is post-translationally modified in the cis- or media-Golgi into a 62 kDa proform. Thereafter, its processing into the 47 kDa mature form occurs in the trans-Golgi network and is followed by secretion into the extracellular space. [less ▲]

Cloning of choriocarcinoma cells shows that invasion correlates with expression and activation of gelatinase A

in Experimental Cell Research (1996), 227

Implantation and placental development are dependent upon trophoblast invasion of the endometrium. While the villous trophoblast does not display invasive behavior, the extravillous cytotrophoblast is ... [more ▼]

Implantation and placental development are dependent upon trophoblast invasion of the endometrium. While the villous trophoblast does not display invasive behavior, the extravillous cytotrophoblast is highly invasive. By cloning BeWo choriocarcinoma cells, we have isolated two distinct clones that share similarities with villous and extravillous cytotrophoblasts. When cultured at the surface of a type I collagen gel, BeWo MC-1 cells were not invasive, whereas BeWo MC-2 cells rapidly invaded this matrix. When injected subcutaneously in nude mice, BeWo MC-1 cells developed a localized tumor and BeWo MC-2 cells developed larger tumors with micrometastases. Gelatinase A expression and minute amounts of gelatinase B were detected in the parental cell line and in both clones. However, the parental and the BeWo MC-2 cells secreted 5- to 10-fold more gelatinase A than the BeWo MC-1 cells. Laminin and matrigel stimulated the production of gelatinase A in BeWo MC-2 cells. Type I collagen promoted the conversion of the 72-kDa progelatinase A in an active enzyme only in parental BeWo and in BeWo MC-2 cells. These clones provide an interesting model for studying the complex mechanisms regulating implantation as well as the controlled invasiveness during implantation compared to tumor invasion. [less ▲]

Identification of structural determinants controlling human and mouse stromelysin-3 proteolytic activities

in Journal of Biological Chemistry (1995), 270

Matrix metalloproteinases (matrixins) constitute a group of extracellular proteinases belonging to the metzincin superfamily. They are involved in both physiological and pathological tissue remodeling ... [more ▼]

Matrix metalloproteinases (matrixins) constitute a group of extracellular proteinases belonging to the metzincin superfamily. They are involved in both physiological and pathological tissue remodeling processes, including those associated with cancer progression. Stromelysin-3, which is expressed in most invasive human carcinomas, is a matrix metalloproteinase with unusual functional properties. In particular, its mature form does not cleave any of the major extracellular matrix components. To define critical structural determinants involved in controlling stromelysin-3 proteolytic activity, we have used site-directed mutagenesis. We show that the deletion of at least 175 C-terminal amino-acids is sufficient to endow mouse stromelysin-3 with activities against casein, laminin, and type IV collagen. In the case of the human enzyme, however, a further and single Ala-235 Pro substitution is necessary to observe similar activities. Ala-235, which characterizes human stromelysin-3 among matrixins, is located immediately after the C terminus of the “Met-turn,” which forms a hydrophobic basis for the catalytic zinc atom in the metzincin family. We conclude that human stromelysin-3 has gained specific functional properties during evolution by amino acid substitution in the catalytic zinc environment, and that it represents an attractive target for specific inhibitors that may be used to prevent cancer progression. [less ▲]

Heterotransplantation of Primary and Established Human Tumour Cells in Nude Mice

in Anticancer Research (1995), 15(1, Jan-Feb), 1-7

Previous successful transplantations of human tumour cells into athymic nude mice have been described when cells were injected with a reconstituted basement membrane (matrigel). We have compared the ... [more ▼]

Previous successful transplantations of human tumour cells into athymic nude mice have been described when cells were injected with a reconstituted basement membrane (matrigel). We have compared the development and the histology of tumours following injection with matrigel or with culture medium of a panel of tumour cells exhibiting different degrees of tumorigenicity. Two cell lines (MCF7 and MCF7/6) required matrigel in order to form tumours. When inoculated with matrigel, all the other cell lines tested [MCF7 gpt, MCF7ras, MCF7(AZ), MCF7(AZ)TD5, MDA-MB 231, HT1080] showed increased tumour take and reduced latency period. Human primary tumours (melanoma, breast and colon cancers) were transplanted successfully into nude mice, in the presence of matrigel. Breast primary tumours or cell lines gave rise to poorly differentiated carcinomas. The other tumours presented histopathological patterns typical of differentiated human cancers. [less ▲]

Characterization of monoclonal antibodies against stromelysin-3 and their use to evaluate stromelysin-3 levels in breast carcinoma by semi-quantitative immunohistochemistry

in International Journal of Cancer = Journal International du Cancer (1995), 64(5), 336-341

Stromelysin-3 (ST3) is a matrix metalloproteinase which is expressed in fibroblastic cells of most human invasive carcinomas and represents a potential new prognostic indicator. Expression of recombinant ... [more ▼]

Stromelysin-3 (ST3) is a matrix metalloproteinase which is expressed in fibroblastic cells of most human invasive carcinomas and represents a potential new prognostic indicator. Expression of recombinant ST3 forms in Escherichia coli from cDNA constructs indicated that high levels of expression were achieved when the ST3 pro-domain was deleted. The putative mature form of ST3 thus produced and recovered from bacterial inclusion bodies was used to prepare monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against ST3 by immunization of BALB/C mice. Ten hybridomas producing MAbs against ST3 were obtained and analyzed for their ability to detect endogenous ST3 in breast cancer and in conditioned media from human fibroblasts. One of these MAbs (5ST-4A9) was found to be suitable for the routine detection of ST3 on breast cancer tissue sections, thus opening the possibility to evaluate ST3 prognostic value in breast cancer using semi-quantitative immunohistochemistry [less ▲]