Hypoxia reduces the output of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in monocytes by inhibiting its secretion and elevating membranal association.

Cellular hypoxia, characterizing tumors, ischemia, and inflammation induce recruitment of monocytes/macrophages, immobilize them at the hypoxic site, and alter their function. To migrate across the extracellular matrix and as part of their inflammatory functions, monocytes and macrophages secrete proteases, including matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), whose expression is induced by proinflammatory cytokines [e.g., tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha)]. We show that hypoxia (<0.3% O2 for 48 h) reduced the output of TNF-alpha-induced proMMP-9 by threefold (P < 0.01) in the U937 monocytic cell line and in primary human monocytes. TNF-alpha induced MMP-9 transcription by threefold, but no significant difference was observed in MMP-9 mRNA steady-state between normoxia and hypoxia, which inhibited the trafficking of proMMP-9 via secretory vesicles and increased the intracellular accumulation of proMMP-9 in the cells by 47% and 62% compared with normoxia (P < 0.05), as evaluated by zymography of cellular extracts and confocal microscopy, respectively. Secretion of proMMP-9 was reduced by the addition of cytochalazin B or nocodazole, which inhibits the polymerization of actin and tubulin fibers, or by the addition of the Rho kinase inhibitor Y27632, suggesting the involvement of the cytoskeleton and the Rho GTPases in the process of enzyme secretion. Furthermore, attachment of proMMP-9 to the cell membrane increased after hypoxia via its interactions with surface molecules such as CD44. In addition, the reduced migration of monocytes in hypoxia was shown to be mediated, at least partially, by secreted MMP-9. Thus, hypoxia post-translationally reduced the secreted amounts of proMMP-9 by using two mutually nonexclusive mechanisms: mostly, inhibition of cellular trafficking and to a lesser extent, attachment to the membrane.