Direct evidence linking expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (92-kDa gelatinase/collagenase) to the metastatic phenotype in transformed rat embryo cells.

Members of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family have been implicated in the metastasis of tumor cells, but no direct evidence linking any given member of the MMP family to metastatic behavior has been presented. Rat embryo cells transformed by the Ha-ras and v-myc oncogenes or by Ha-ras alone are metastatic in nude mice and release the 92-kDa gelatinase/collagenase (MMP-9), whereas those transformed by Ha-ras plus the adenovirus E1A gene are not metastatic and do not release MMP-9. Here we demonstrate that MMP-9 expression can be induced in these tumorigenic but nonmetastatic rat cells by transfection with an MMP-9 expression vector. Transfection of a MMP-9 expression vector, but not control DNAs, conferred metastatic capacity on the nonmetastatic cells. The majority of colonies isolated after continued passage either in vivo or in vitro had lost the MMP-9 expression vector. However, occasional cells were isolated from metastases which retained MMP-9 expression after passage. These cells retained metastatic capacity. In contrast, cells isolated after losing MMP-9 expression also lost the ability to metastasize. These results provide direct evidence that MMP-9 has a role in tumor metastasis.