Perivascular cells regulate endothelial membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase activity

M.A. Lafleur, P.A. Forsyth, S.J. Atkinson, G. Murphy, D.R. Edwards

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

47 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Angiogenic stimuli selectively induced expression of membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) transcripts and protein in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Pro-MMP-2 activation was blocked by treatment with tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2), but not by TIMP-1 or inhibitors of other proteinase classes. Anti-MT1-MMP antibodies abrogated recombinant pro-MMP-2 activation by plasma membranes, indicating that MT1-MMP is the main mediator of pro-MMP-2 activation in HUVECs. Cocultures of HUVECs with smooth muscle cells (SMC) or pericytes (PC) resulted in the suppression of HUVEC pro-MMP-2 activation. Treatment of A10 SMC conditioned media with a neutralising anti-TIMP-2 antibody prevented the suppression of HUVEC pro-MMP-2 activation. Inhibition of HUVEC MT1-MMP function by PC and SM3 SMC correlated with elevated TIMP-3 expression. Thus, perivascular supporting cells regulate the functions of proangiogenic MMPs elaborated by endothelial cells via selective expression of TIMPs. This interplay may be important for maintenance of blood vessel architecture and neovascularisation.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)463-473
Number of pages11
JournalBiochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
Volume282
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2001

Cite this