Upregulated expression of MMP family genes is associated with poor survival in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma via regulation of proliferation and epithelial‑mesenchymal transition

Transcriptomic investigation of NP toxicity on HepaRG spheroids

Metal nanoparticles (NPs) are commonly used nanomaterials, however concerns have been raised about their toxicity. Although a few studies have reported the toxicity of NPs on cells, they have generally been restricted to a limited variety of NPs, inappropriate cell lines, or culture methods. Thus, the adverse effects remain inadequately understood, necessitating further analysis. This study focuses on assessing the impacts of diverse NPs of varying materials and sizes on HepaRG spheroids to determine the genes that respond to acute NP toxicity. HepaRG cells, the most appropriate alternative to primary hepatocytes, were cultured in 3D spheroids to better mimic the cellular microenvironment of the liver. To elucidate the toxicity mechanisms of NPs on HepaRG spheroids, transcriptome analysis was conducted by using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). Among all NPs, lowest and highest numbers of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were found for 40 nm AuNP (118 genes) and InP/ZnS (1904 genes), respectively. Remarkably, processes such as drug metabolism, sensitivity to metal ions, oxidative stress, endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and apoptosis consistently exhibited significant enrichment across all NPs of different materials. Pathways related to stress responses of the cells such as the MAPK, p53 and mTOR pathways are found to be dysregulated upon exposure to various NPs. The genes that are common and unique between DEGs of different NPs were identified. These results provide novel insights into the toxicological mechanisms of NPs on HepaRG spheroids.

MMPs-related risk model identification and SAA1 promotes clear cell renal cell carcinoma migration via ERK-AP1-MMPs axis

Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been demonstrated to be essential in facilitating the migration and metastasis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). However, the ability of the MMP family to predict clinical outcomes and guide optimal therapeutic strategies for ccRCC patients remains incompletely understood. In this investigation, we initially conducted a thorough examination of the MMP family in pan-cancer. Notably, MMPs exhibited distinctive significance in ccRCC. Following this, we undertook an extensive analysis to evaluate the clinical value of MMPs and potential mechanisms by which MMPs contribute to the progression of ccRCC. A novel stratification method and prognostic model were developed based on MMPs in order to enhance the accuracy of prognosis prediction for ccRCC patients and facilitate personalized treatment. By conducting multi-omics analysis and transcriptional regulation analysis, it was hypothesized that SAA1 plays a crucial role in promoting ccRCC migration through MMPs. Subsequently, in vitro experiments confirmed that SAA1 regulates ccRCC cell migration via the ERK-AP1-MMPs axis. In conclusion, our study has explored the potential value of the MMP family as prognostic markers for ccRCC and as guides for medication regimens. Additionally, we have identified SAA1 as a crucial factor in the migration of ccRCC.

Time trajectories and within-subject correlations of matrix metalloproteinases 3, 8, 9, 10, 12, and 13 serum levels and their ability to predict mortality in polytraumatized patients: a pilot study

BACKGROUND

Managing polytrauma victims poses a significant challenge to clinicians since applying the same therapy to patients with similar injury patterns may result in different outcomes. Using serum biomarkers hopefully allows for treating each multiple injured in the best possible individual way. Since matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play pivotal roles in various physiological processes, they might be a reliable tool in polytrauma care.

METHODS

We evaluated 24 blunt polytrauma survivors and 12 fatalities (mean age, 44.2 years, mean ISS, 45) who were directly admitted to our Level I trauma center and stayed at the intensive care unit for at least one night. We determined their MMP3, MMP8, MMP9, MMP10, MMP12, and MMP13 serum levels at admission (day 0) and on days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10.

RESULTS

Median MMP8, MMP9, and MMP12 levels immediately rose after the polytrauma occurred; however, they significantly decreased from admission to day 1 and significantly increased from day 1 to day 10, showing similar time trajectories and (very) strong correlations between each two of the three enzyme levels assessed at the same measurement point. For a two-day lag, autocorrelations were significant for MMP8 (- 0.512) and MMP9 (- 0.302) and for cross-correlations between MMP8 and MMP9 (- 0.439), MMP8 and MMP12 (- 0.416), and MMP9 and MMP12 (- 0.307). Moreover, median MMP3, MMP10, and MMP13 levels significantly increased from admission to day 3 and significantly decreased from day 3 to day 10, showing similar time trajectories and an (almost) strong association between every 2 levels until day 7. Significant cross-correlations were detected between MMP3 and MMP10 (0.414) and MMP13 and MMP10 (0.362). Finally, the MMP10 day 0 level was identified as a predictor for in-hospital mortality. Any increase of the MMP10 level by 200 pg/mL decreased the odds of dying by 28.5%.

CONCLUSIONS

The time trajectories of the highly varying individual MMP levels elucidate the involvement of these enzymes in the endogenous defense response following polytrauma. Similar time courses of MMP levels might indicate similar injury causes, whereas lead-lag effects reveal causative relations between several enzyme pairs. Finally, MMP10 abundantly released into circulation after polytrauma might have a protective effect against dying.

Effects of lactalbumin enzymatic hydrolysate on human squamous cell carcinoma cells-an in vitro study

Objectives

Alpha-lactalbumin, the protein from human and bovine milk has been found to be promising as an alternative of anticancer agent. This study was aimed to investigate the effects of lactalbumin enzymatic hydrolysate (LAH) on cell proliferation, migration, and mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) on human squamous cell carcinoma (hSCC) cell lines, in vitro.

Methods

Tongue (HSC-4 and 7) and pharyngeal (HN-30 and 31) hSCC cell lines were treated with a two-fold dilution of LAH (0.39-100 mg/ml). Cell viability and cell proliferation were examined by MTT assay. Colony forming unit (CFU) was assessed by crystal violet blue staining. Cell migration was investigated by scratch wound healing assay. Gene expression of metastasis-associated MMPs was assessed by RT-qPCR. Statistical analyses were evaluated at p value = 0.05.

Results

LAH at concentration of 50 and 100 mg/ml exhibited cytotoxicity on hSCC cells. The proliferation and CFU ability of hSCC cells were significantly attenuated after LAH treatment. The mRNA expression of MMP2, MMP9, and MMP14 was reduced in HN-30 and HN-31 cells while expression of MMP2 and MMP14 was downregulated in HSC-7 cells. Only MMP1 mRNA level was reduced in HSC-4 cells. However, cell migration of all hSCC cell lines did not alter after LAH treatment.

Conclusion

LAH treatment exhibits inhibitory effects on hSCC cell growth, proliferation and MMPs gene expression. Thus, LAH should be the promising alternative agent to develop the prospective anti-cancer drug.

Lower Serum Matrix Metalloproteinase‑9 in Metastatic Patients with Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma After Concurrent Radiotherapy Was Significant for Prognosis

Aim

This study was designed to investigate the relationships of serum matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) level and treatment response in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients treated with chemotherapy or concurrent radiotherapy.

Methods

Blood samples from ESCC patients after chemotherapy or concurrent radiotherapy were collected at four different intervals. Serum MMP-9 was determined via Luminex assay in 134 patients with chemotherapy, 73 patients with concurrent radiotherapy, and 183 healthy controls.

Results

Serum MMP-9 level was significantly higher in patients with ESCC than in healthy controls (P <0.001). Compared with the pre-treatment, a lower level of serum MMP-9 was maintained at four cycles of treatment in ESCC patients with concurrent radiotherapy (P < 0.001). Serum MMP-9 level was obviously lower in ESCC patients with metastasis after concurrent radiotherapy than after chemotherapy (P < 0.05). Patients with higher MMP-9 level (≥820.693 ng/mL) had a shorter mean survival time by 42 months versus lower MMP-9 level (<820.693 ng/mL) after chemotherapy or concurrent radiotherapy (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Serum MMP-9 is a potential prognostic biomarker for treatment response to chemotherapy or concurrent radiotherapy in terms of overall survival (OS) in ESCC patients.