Shofuda K I, Hasenstab D, Shofuda T, Kenagy R D, Clowes A W
Department of Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle 98195-6410, USA.
Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2001 Dec;947:337-40. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2001.tb03958.x.
Vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) express membrane-type matrix metalloproteinases-1 and -3 (MT1- and MT3-MMPs). Expression is induced by PDGF in culture or by balloon injury in rat carotid arteries. In this study, we tried to define their functions in SMCs by transducing MT1- and MT3-MMP cDNAs into baboon-cultured SMCs, using adenoviral vectors. Overexpression of MT1-MMP increased the conversion of proMMP-2 to the activated form. In contrast, in MT3-MMP overexpressing cells, MMP-2 activation was partial. However, both MT1- and MT3-MMP overexpression elicited morphological alterations (cell rounding), which was prevented by BB94 addition. The cells, which underwent this change, showed reduced adhesion to matrices and increased migration in a Boyden chamber.
