Detection of mRNAs encoding collagenase I and stromelysin 2 in carcinomas of the head and neck by in situ hybridization.

The mRNAs encoding 2 metalloproteinases, stromelysin 2 and collagenase I, have been detected by in situ hybridization in 26 carcinomas of the head and neck. 23 tumors of 26 expressed these mRNAs. Collagenase mRNAs were present in individual invasive cancer cells and in tumor cells at the periphery of poorly differentiated clusters (4 cases). Numerous stromal cells, principally fibroblasts were labeled (18 cases). Stromelysin mRNAs have been localized in tumor cells frequently arranged along disrupted basement membranes (8 cases). Many stromal cells in close contact to cancer cells also expressed the stromelysin mRNAs (17 cases). Normal residual cells were never labeled. These observations plead for the role of stromelysin produced by both stromal and tumor cells in the breakdown of basement membranes and the involvement of both collagenase and stromelysin in stromal invasion in carcinomas of the head and neck in vivo.