Role of MT1-MMP in cell-cell contact formation of endothelial cells

Expression of proteolitic enzymes in induced angiogenesis

Angiogenesis (growth of new blood vessels) plays a key role in tissue repair, such as in cancer progression (Folkman 1995. New Engl. J. Med. 333, 1757-63). At the beginning of the process is observed the matrix degradation and endothelial cells (ECs) migration inside to the connective tissue in proximity of vessel walls. During angiogenesis several modifications occurs at plasma membrane level; a redistribution of cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion molecules (Bazzoni et al 1999), such as an increased expression of several proteolytic enzymes, including MMPs and serine proteases, as plasminogen activators and SIMPs, were observed (Ghersi et al. 2006. Cancer Res. 66, 4652-61; Ghersi 2008 Fron…