Review
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World J Clin Oncol. May 10, 2012; 3(5): 67-79
Published online May 10, 2012. doi: 10.5306/wjco.v3.i5.67
A complete compilation of matrix metalloproteinase expression in human malignant gliomas
Carsten Hagemann, Jelena Anacker, Ralf-Ingo Ernestus, Giles H Vince
Carsten Hagemann, Ralf-Ingo Ernestus, Giles H Vince, Department of Neurosurgery, Tumorbiology Laboratory, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 11, D-97080 Würzburg, Germany
Jelena Anacker, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 4, D-97080 Würzburg, Germany
Author contributions: Hagemann C and Anacker J contributed equally to this work and wrote the paper; Ernestus RI and Vince GH revised the manuscript critically; all authors approved the final version of the manuscript.
Supported by Interdisziplinäres Zentrum für Klinische For-schung der Universität Würzburg;, Project B25
Correspondence to: Carsten Hagemann, PhD, Department of Neurosurgery, Tumorbiology Laboratory, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 11, D-97080 Würzburg, Germany. hagemann_c@klinik.uni-wuerzburg.de
Telephone: +49-931-20124644 Fax: +49-931-20124534
Received: August 30, 2011
Revised: November 12, 2011
Accepted: April 24, 2012
Published online: May 10, 2012
Abstract

Glioblastomas are characterized by an aggressive local growth pattern, a marked degree of invasiveness and poor prognosis. Tumor invasiveness is facilitated by the increased activity of proteolytic enzymes which are involved in destruction of the extracellular matrix of the surrounding healthy brain tissue. Elevated levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were found in glioblastoma (GBM) cell-lines, as well as in GBM biopsies as compared with low-grade astrocytoma (LGA) and normal brain samples, indicating a role in malignant progression. A careful review of the available literature revealed that both the expression and role of several of the 23 human MMP proteins is controversely discussed and for some there are no data available at all. We therefore screened a panel of 15 LGA and 15 GBM biopsy samples for those MMPs for which there is either no, very limited or even contradictory data available. Hence, this is the first complete compilation of the expression pattern of all 23 human MMPs in astrocytic tumors. This study will support a better understanding of the specific expression patterns and interaction of proteolytic enzymes in malignant human glioma and may provide additional starting points for targeted patient therapy.

Keywords: Astrocytic tumor; Expression pattern; Glioblastoma cell-lines; Glioblastoma multiforme; Matrix metalloproteinase