Project description:The process of tumor invasion requires degradation of extracellular matrix by proteolytic enzymes. Cancer cells form protrusive invadopodia, which produce and release matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) to degrade the basement membrane and thereby allowing metastasis. We investigated the effect of LASP1, a newly identified protein in invadopodia, on expression, secretion and activation of MMPs in invasive breast tumor cells. By analyzing and verifying microarray data sets and performing reporter assays, we demonstrate that LASP1 positively modulates the expression of c-Fos and AP-1 activity, and thereby up-regulates expression of MMP1, -3 and -9 in breast cancer cells. Furthermore, zymography assays and Western blot analysis revealed cytosolic LASP1 promotion of MMP vesicle secretion into the extracellular matrix, thus altering the microenvironment during cancer progression. The newly identified role of LASP1 in regulating matrix degradation by affecting MMP transcription and secretion elucidated the migratory potential observed in studies that investigated the upregulation of LASP1 in aggressive cancers.
Project description:Background: The active site of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) is highly conserved, complicating the rational design of specific substrates and inhibitors for individual family members. Results: Active site specificity profiles of 9 MMPs were determined using high throughput Proteomic Identification of protease Cleavage Sites (PICS). Conclusion: Subtle specificity divergences distinguish individual MMP family members. Significance: Understanding individual MMP cleavage site specificities will bolster the design of MMP specific activity assays and targeted inhibitory drugs.
Project description:Hypertrophic scar (HS) considerably affects the appearance and causes tissue dysfunction in patients. Here we show a separating microneedle (MN) consisting of photo-crosslinked GelMA and 5-FuA-Pep-MA prodrug in response to high reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and overexpression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the HS pathological microenvironment. RNA sequencing analyses confirm that drug-loaded MNs could reverse skin fibrosis through down-regulation of BCL-2-associated death promoter (BAD), insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) pathways, simultaneously regulate inflammatory response and keratinocyte differentiation via up-regulation of toll-like receptors (TOLL), interleukin-1 receptor (IL1R) and keratinocyte pathways.
Project description:Skin damage from solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) accumulates in the dermal extracellular matrix (ECM) and contributes to photoaging. Following UVR exposure, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are secreted by dermal fibroblasts to repair and remodel the ECM. Molecular signaling pathways delineating the induction of MMPs are currently well-defined; however, the effects of UV exposure on epigenetic mechanisms of MMP induction are not as well understood. An epigenetic mechanism would further describe how MMP genes are regulated in response to UV. In this study, we examined solar simulated UVR (ssUVR)-induced gene expression changes and alterations to histone methylation in the promoters of MMP1 and MMP3 in primary human dermal fibroblasts (HDF). This set of gene expression data was generated to identify photoaging related genes (including MMP) that were impacted by ssUVR exposure in our system.
Project description:Skin damage from solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) accumulates in the dermal extracellular matrix (ECM) and contributes to photoaging. Following UVR exposure, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are secreted by dermal fibroblasts to repair and remodel the ECM. Molecular signaling pathways delineating the induction of MMPs are currently well-defined; however, the effects of UV exposure on epigenetic mechanisms of MMP induction are not as well understood. An epigenetic mechanism would further describe how MMP genes are regulated in response to UV. In this study, we examined solar simulated UVR (ssUVR)-induced gene expression changes and alterations to histone methylation in the promoters of MMP1 and MMP3 in primary human dermal fibroblasts (HDF). This set of gene expression data was generated to identify photoaging related genes (including MMP) that were impacted by ssUVR exposure in our system.
Project description:Extracellular matrix (ECM) assembly/disassembly is a critical regulator for airway epithelial development and remodeling. Airway organoid is widely used in respiratory research, yet there is limited study to indicate the roles and mechanismsof ECM organization in epithelial growth and differentiation by using in vitro organoid system. Moreover, most of current Matrigel-based airway organoids are in basal-out orientation where accessing the apical surface is challenging. We present a novel human apical-out airway organoid using a biochemically defined hybrid hydrogel system. During human nasal epithelial progenitor cells (hNEPCs) differentiation, thegel gradually degraded, leading to the organoid apical surfaces facing outward. The expression and activity of ECM-degrading enzymes, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP7, MMP9, MMP10 and MMP13) increased during organoid differentiation,where inhibition of MMPs significantly suppressed the normal ciliation, resulting in increased goblet cell proportion. Moreover, a decrease of MMPs was found in goblet cell hyperplastic epithelium in inflammatory mucosa. This system reveals essential roles of epithelial-derived MMPs on epithelial cell fate determination, and provides an applicable platform enabling further study for ECM in regulating airway development in health and diseases.
Project description:Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases 3 (TIMP3) were originally characterized as inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), acting as potent antiangiogenic proteins. In this study, we demonstrated that the arylsulfonamide derivative MPT0G013 has potent antiangiogenic activities in vitro and in vivo via inducing TIMP3 expression. Treatments with MPT0G013 significantly inhibited endothelial cell functions, such as cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation, as well as induced p21 and cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase. Subsequent microarray analysis showed significant induction of TIMP3 gene expression by MPT0G013, and siRNA-mediated blockage of TIMP3 up-regulation abrogated the antiangiogenic activities of MPT0G013 and prevented inhibition of p-AKT and p-ERK proteins. Importantly, MPT0G013 exhibited antiangiogenic activities in in vivo Matrigel plug assays, inhibited tumor growth and up-regulated TIMP3 and p21 proteins in HCT116 mouse xenograft models. These data suggest potential therapeutic application of MPT0G013 for angiogenesis-related diseases such as cancer.
Project description:Skin damage from solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) accumulates in the dermal extracellular matrix (ECM) and contributes to photoaging. Following UVR exposure, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are secreted by dermal fibroblasts to repair and remodel the ECM. Molecular signaling pathways delineating the induction of MMPs are currently well-defined; however, the effects of UV exposure on epigenetic mechanisms of MMP induction are not as well understood. An epigenetic mechanism would further describe how MMP genes are regulated in response to UV. In this study, we examined solar simulated UVR (ssUVR)-induced gene expression changes and alterations to histone methylation in the promoters of MMP1 and MMP3 in primary human dermal fibroblasts (HDF). This set of gene expression data was generated to identify photoaging related genes (including MMP) that were impacted by ssUVR exposure in our system. Primary neonatal human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) were irradiated a single time with 12 J/cm2 ssUVR. The sham treatments are negative controls (0 J/cm2 ssUVR). The cells were collected for gene expression analysis 1 day after exposure, and then 5 days after exposure. Affymetrix GeneChip Human Exon 1.0 ST arrays were used to characterize gene expression pattern alterations in response to ssUVR.
Project description:Skin damage from solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) accumulates in the dermal extracellular matrix (ECM) and contributes to photoaging. Following UVR exposure, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are secreted by dermal fibroblasts to repair and remodel the ECM. Molecular signaling pathways delineating the induction of MMPs are currently well-defined; however, the effects of UV exposure on epigenetic mechanisms of MMP induction are not as well understood. An epigenetic mechanism would further describe how MMP genes are regulated in response to UV. In this study, we examined solar simulated UVR (ssUVR)-induced gene expression changes and alterations to histone methylation in the promoters of MMP1 and MMP3 in primary human dermal fibroblasts (HDF). This set of gene expression data was generated to identify photoaging related genes (including MMP) that were impacted by ssUVR exposure in our system. Primary neonatal human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) were irradiated a single time with 0, 4, or 12 J/cm2 ssUVR. The sham treatments are negative controls (0 J/cm2 ssUVR). The cells were collected for gene expression analysis 24 hours after exposure. Affymetrix GeneChip Human Exon 1.0 ST arrays were used to characterize gene expression pattern alterations in response to ssUVR.
Project description:Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) collectively degrade all extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. MMP-9 has the strongest link to development of cardiac dysfunction. Aging is associated with increased MMP-9 expression in the left ventricle (LV) and reduced cardiac function. We investigated the effect of MMP-9 deletion on the cardiac ECM in aged mice. Based on label-free mass spectrometry analyses, MMP-9 dependent age-related changes were found in the mouse cardiac ECM proteome, suggesting MMP-9 as a possible therapeutic target for the aging patient