Matrix metalloproteinase-2 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 expression in paediatric tumour cells. Effects of tumour cell proliferation modulators on gelatinolytic activity.

We have examined the expression of 72-kDa gelatinase/type IV collagenase or matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and its inhibitor, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2), in various cell lines derived from paediatric tumours. In a neuroblastoma model system of tumour progression, the expression level of MMP-2 mRNA was higher in the more malignant cell line. Surprisingly, MMP-2 was not expressed in the highly malignant rhabdomyosarcoma A-204 cell line. TIMP-2 showed higher expression levels in the 007 and U-2OS tumour cell lines than in the more malignant ones, WAC2 and A-204 cells. We have also determined the effect of some tumour cell proliferation modulators on gelatinolytic activity. While basic fibroblast growth factor and retinoic acid produced no apparent change in gelatinolytic activity, genistein induced in partial inhibition of gelatinolytic activity.