TGF-beta1 induced MMP-9 expression in HNSCC cell lines via Smad/MLCK pathway.

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) plays roles in cancer progression by degrading the extracellular matrix and basement membrane. Many growth factors including Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) could induce MMP-9 expression. We demonstrated that TGF-beta1 induced MMP-9 mRNA and protein in human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines.