Co-culture of Macrophages and Breast Cancer Cells Leads to Induction of Matrix Metalloproteases and Increased Invasiveness

摘要

Degradation of the extracellular matrix as a prerequisite for malignant invasion is facilitated by matrix metalloproteases (MMPs). Interactions between tumor cells and the surrounding stromal compartment are involved in the induction of MMPs. To investigate one aspect of this problem, the breast cancer cell line SK-BR3 and the benign mammary epithelial cell line hTERT-HMEl were co-cultivated with human macrophages. Co-cultivation lead to enhanced migration of breast cancer cells through a model basement membrane in a microinvasion model, due to significant upregulation of MMP-2, -3, -7 and -9 production inthe macrophages.