[Effects of HGF on the production of matrix metalloproteinases by colonic cancer cells DHD/K12].

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and growth factors such as hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) are implicated in tumoral progression of several digestive cancers. The rat DHD/K12 colonic cancer cell line is very invasive in vivo. We showed by RT-PCR and western immunoblotting the presence of HGF receptor, c-Met, in DHD/K12 cells. Then, we detected by zymography and western blots the secretion of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the conditioned medium of these cells. After 24 or 48 h of culture in medium supplemented with HGF, transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) or sodium butyrate, MMP production by DHD/K12 cells was stimulated by HGF and TGF-alpha and inhibited by sodium butyrate. Knowing the capacity of MMPs to degrade the extracellular matrix and thus to favour tumoral invasion, results suggest that HGF is implicated in the aggressive behaviour of DHD/K12 cells since it increased MMPs secretion by these cells.