Induction of membrane-type matrix metalloproteinase-1 stimulates angiogenic activities of bovine aortic endothelial cells.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been reported to play critical roles in endothelial cell migration and matrix remodeling during the angiogenic process. Among these MMPs, membrane-type MMP-1 (MT1-MMP) is an important molecule that can trigger the invasion of tumor cells by activating MMP-2 on their plasma membrane. However, the precise involvement of MT1-MMP in the angiogenic process has not been determined. To investigate the roles of the MT1-MMP by the matrix remodeling of endothelial cells, MT1-MMP expression vector was transfected into bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs). Increased expression of MT1-MMP in BAECs enhanced the activation of MMP-2, invasion and migration of BAECs. Moreover, the capacity of tube formation was increased in MT1-MMP transfectants. However, cotransfection with antisense MT1-MMP expression vector abolished the effects of MT1-MMP overexpression. These observations indicate that MT1-MMP is involved in the angiogenic process of endothelial cells in vitro.