Higher Content but No Specific Activity in Gelatinase B (MMP-9) Compared with Gelatinase A (MMP-2) in Human Renal Carcinoma.

Gelatinases belong to a group of enzymes known as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Gelatinases A and B (MMP-2 and MMP-9, respectively) are the enzymes with the highest ability to destroy collagen, primarily type IV collagen, which is an essential component of the base membrane. Hence, it can be assumed that they are involved, among other things, with the metastasis process of cancer.

The Significance of Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) and Metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) in Urinary Bladder Cancer.

Introduction: Urinary bladder cancer is a serious oncological problem that is the cause of many deaths worldwide. The processes of metastasis and origination of local tumor invasion depend on the extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation. The cancer microenvironment, particularly the ECM, may be considered a key factor in cancer progression.

Higher Content but Not Activity of Stromelysin-2 (MMP-10) in Comparison to Stromelysin-1 (MMP-3) in Human Renal Carcinoma.

Stromelysin-1 and stromelysin-2 (matrix metalloproteinase 3; MMP-3 and matrix metalloproteinase 10; MMP-10, respectively) are enzymes that activate other metalloproteinases. Apart from collagen, they also degrade elastin, fibronectin, gelatin and laminin. In carcinogenic processes, they are involved in angiogenesis and metastasis.

Enhanced Expression but Decreased Specific Activity of Matrix Metalloproteinase 10 (MMP-10) in Comparison with Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 (MMP-3) in Human Urinary Bladder Carcinoma.

Human urinary bladder cancer is a huge worldwide oncological problem causing many deaths every year. The degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) induced by molecules such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) is one of the main factors influencing the process of metastasis origination. The MMP expression is tied to tumor aggressiveness, stage, and patient prognosis.

Dominative role of MMP-14 over MMP-15 in human urinary bladder carcinoma on the basis of its enhanced specific activity.

Background: Human urinary bladder cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide with the mortality rate of approximately 165,000 people annually. The modulation of extracellular matrix is a crucial event in the metastatic spread, among others in angiogenesis. It is initiated and prolonged by the cascade of matrix metalloproteinases.

Peptide growth factors and their receptors in the vein wall.

The varicose vein wall remodeling is a very complex process, which is controlled by numerous factors, including peptide growth factors. The aim of the study was to assess a/b FGF, IGF-1, TGF-β1, VEGF-A and their receptors in the vein wall. Varicose vein samples were taken from 24 patients undergoing varicose vein surgery.

Suppressed Expression but Not Activity of Collagenases MMP-1 and MMP-13 in Human Renal Carcinoma.

Background: Collagenases are enzymes starting collagen degradation. The role of collagenases in renal carcinoma development is not well understood.

Objective: Evaluation of collagen content and collagenase expression and activity in human kidney cancers.