Characterisation of a novel matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor on pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells in vitro and in an orthotopic pancreatic cancer model in vivo.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a central role in tissue maintenance, inflammation and during tumour invasion and metastasis. The impact of MMPs in cancer has encouraged the development of novel MMP-inhibitors without adverse effects on the cell viability. We describe here the synthesis and characterisation of a triazine-derivative as a highly potent MMP-inhibitor. The new compound Triazin 17-2 was developed on the basis of a triazine backbone as a well known and well tolerated chemical scaffold. It was de novo synthesized and tested for MMP inhibition in a cell free assay. In vitro characterisation included tests for cell viability, protein expression and MMP activity in PancTu-1 cells. Effectivity of MMP inhibition was analysed in vitro by invasion assay. Triazin 17-2 was investigated in vivo using an orthotopic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) xenograft model in SCID/bg mice. Triazin 17-2 proved to have no adverse effects on cell viability in vitro at concentrations effectively inhibiting MMPs in an invasion assay. Application of Triazin 17-2 in vivo in the orthotopic PDAC model in SCID/bg mice showed a significant reduction of primary tumour weight using conservative therapy and inhibition of metastasis in adjuvant therapy. The MMP-inhibitor Triazin 17-2 was developed and characterised in vitro and in vivo. The new compound has no intrinsic activity to kill cells but is very effective in inhibition of MMPs. In vivo testing revealed that MMP-inhibitors are useful tools in anticancer therapy reducing tumour size and invasion even without direct effects on cell survival.

Clinical evidence for a protective role of lipocalin-2 against MMP-9 autodegradation and the impact for gastric cancer.

Recently, complexes of matrix metalloproteinase matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) with lipocalin-2 (neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin) were found in the urine obtained from breast cancer patients, while these were completely absent in that obtained from healthy controls. In vitro data suggested a possible role for lipocalin-2 in the protection of MMP-9 against autolysis. To establish this effect in vivo, we determined the presence of MMP-9, lipocalin-2 and their complex in tumour tissue from 81 gastric cancer patients. The effect of the presence of the individual parameters, the complexes, and the inhibitors TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 on MMP-9 activity was evaluated with a bioactivity assay. Immuno-histochemical (double) staining identified epithelial cells as the most likely cellular source. Finally, evaluation of all these parameters with clinico-pathological scores revealed that tumour MMP-9/lipocalin-2 complexes were significantly related with the classifications of Laurén and WHO, and highly associated with worse survival in Cox's univariate (HR 2.087, P=0.006) and multivariate analyses (HR 2.095, P=0.025).

Structural insight into the stereoselective inhibition of MMP-8 by enantiomeric sulfonamide phosphonates.

Potent and selective inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), a family of zinc proteases that can degrade all the components of the extracellular matrix, could be useful for treatment of diseases such as cancer and arthritis. The most potent MMP inhibitors are based on hydroxamate as zinc-binding group (ZBG). alpha-Arylsulfonylamino phosphonates incorporate a particularly favorable combination of phosphonate as ZBG and arylsulfonylamino backbone so that their affinity exceptionally attains the nanomolar strength frequently observed for hydroxamate analogues. The detailed mode of binding of [1-(4'-methoxybiphenyl-4-sulfonylamino)-2-methylpropyl]phosphonate has been clarified by the crystal structures of the complexes that the R- and S-enantiomers respectively form with MMP-8. The reasons for the preferential MMP-8 inhibition by the R-phosphonate are underlined and the differences in the mode of binding of analogous alpha-arylsulfonylamino hydroxamates and carboxylates are discussed.

N-Hydroxyurea as zinc binding group in matrix metalloproteinase inhibition: mode of binding in a complex with MMP-8.

The first crystallographic structure of an N-hydroxyurea inhibitor bound into the active site of a matrix metalloproteinase is reported. The ligand and three other analogues were prepared and studied as inhibitors of MMP-2, MMP-3, and MMP-8. The crystal structure of the complex with MMP-8 shows that the N-hydroxyurea, contrary to the analogous hydroxamate, binds the catalytic zinc ion in a monodentate rather than bidentate mode and with high out-of-plane distortion of the amide bonds.

ADAM15 decreases integrin alphavbeta3/vitronectin-mediated ovarian cancer cell adhesion and motility in an RGD-dependent fashion.

We have recently described that integrin alphavbeta3 upon interaction with its major extracellular matrix ligand vitronectin induces adhesion, motility, and proliferation of human ovarian cancer cells. Due to the important function of alphavbeta3 in cancer cell biology, it has been the effort of many scientific approaches to specifically target alphavbeta3-mediated cell adhesion and tumorbiological effects arising thereof by synthetic integrin antagonists. More recently, proteins of the ADAM family have been recognized as naturally occurring integrin ligands. Among those, human ADAM15 which encompasses the integrin binding RGD motif was shown to interact with integrin alphavbeta3. Thus, we investigated in human ovarian OV-MZ-6 cancer cells, expressing both ADAM15 and alphavbeta3, whether ADAM15 might affect alphavbeta3-mediated tumorbiological effects. We stably (over)expressed ADAM15 or its extracellular domain in OV-MZ-6 cells as well as respective ADAM15 mutants containing the tripeptide SGA instead of RGD. Cells (over)expressing ADAM15-RGD exhibited a significantly reduced alphavbeta3-mediated adhesion to vitronectin. Also, a significant time-dependent decline in numbers of cells cultivated on vitronectin was noticed. This effect was found to be rather due to impaired alphavbeta3-mediated cell adhesion than decreased cell proliferation rates, since de novo DNA synthesis was not significantly altered by elevated ADAM15 expression. Moreover, a substantially decreased random cellular motility was noticed as a function of ADAM15 encompassing an intact RGD motif. In conclusion, our results point to a physiological role of ADAM15 as a natural binding partner of integrin alphavbeta3 thereby loosening tumor cell adhesion to the underlying matrix and regulating tumor cell migration and invasion.

Evidence for disulfide involvement in the regulation of intramolecular autolytic processing by human adamalysin19/ADAM19.

Human adamalysin 19 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 19, hADAM19) is activated by furin-mediated cleavage of the prodomain followed by an autolytic processing within the cysteine-rich domain at Glu586-Ser587, which occurs intramolecularly, producing an NH2 terminal fragment (N-fragment) associated with its COOH-terminal fragment (C-fragment), most likely through disulfide bonds. When stable Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) transfectants overexpressing soluble hADAM19 were treated with dithiothreitol (DTT) or with media at pH 6.5, 7.5, or 8.5, the secretion and folding of the enzyme were not affected. Autolytic processing was blocked by DTT and pH 6.5 media, which favor disulfide reduction, but was increased by pH 8.5 media, which promotes disulfide formation. Cys605, Cys633, Cys639, and Cys643 of the C-fragment appear to be partially responsible for the covalent association between the C-fragment and the N-fragment. A new autolytic processing site at Lys543-Val544 was identified in soluble mutants when these cysteine residues were individually mutated to serine residues. Shed fragments were also detectable in the media from MDCK cells stably expressing the full-length Cys633Ser mutant. Ilomastat/GM6001 inhibited hADAM19 with an IC50 of 447 nM, but scarcely affected the shedding process. The cysteine-rich domain likely forms disulfide bonds to regulate the autolytic processing and shedding of hADAM19.

Protein expression of MMP-13, uPA, and PAI-1 in pseudocapsular and interface tissue around implants of loose artificial hip joints and in osteoarthritis.

Matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP-13), urokinase type plasminogen activator (uPA), and plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) have been reported to be involved in aseptic loosening of artificial hip joints. This study for the first time presents the protein levels of all of these factors in synovial-like interfaces between bone and prosthesis and in pseudocapsular tissues surrounding the artificial joint in patients with aseptic loosening (n=17) measured by ELISA. No differences were observed in the antigen expression of MMP-13, uPA, and PAI-1, comparing interface and pseudocapsular tissue. Also, no significant correlation between the protein expression of these factors and years from arthroplasty to revision or to type of fixation (cemented vs. cementless) was observed. As control, MMP-13, uPA, and PAI-1 antigen levels were also determined in the synovium of patients with osteoarthritis (n=10). Yet, the antigen levels of MMP-13, uPA, and PAI-1 in tissue specimens from patients with aseptic loosening of artificial hip joints were significantly higher compared to their expression in synovial capsular tissues obtained from patients with osteoarthritis. In conclusion, this study shows that elevated protein levels of uPA, PAI-1, and MMP-13 in periprosthetic pseudocapsular and interface tissues from patients after total hip replacement due to aseptic loosening seem not to be associated with the patient outcome.

Distribution of extracellular matrix proteins in pterygia: an immunohistochemical study.

PURPOSE: This study was carried out to monitor the expression of extracellular matrix proteins (ECMs) and metalloproteinases (MMPs) in pterygial tissue. METHODS: Twenty primary nasal pterygia were studied by indirect routine immunohistochemistry using 13 different primary antibodies against 8 ECMs (five collagens, fibronectin, heparan sulfate, and laminin) fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), von Willebrand factor (vWF), and 3 MMPs (8, 9, and 13). Secondary antibodies were fluoresceinated. Intensity of reaction on individual sections was graded semi-quantitatively. RESULTS: No expression of collagens I, II, and VII was found. Antibodies against collagen III reacted strongly positively (+++) with the entire pterygial stroma. Collagen IV expression was strongly positive in the wall of pterygial blood vessels, moderately positive (++) in the epithelial basement membrane, and only weakly positive (+) all over the stroma. Antibodies against fibronectin reacted moderately positively with stroma, blood vessel walls and epithelial basement membrane. Heparan sulfate was strongly expressed in the blood vessel walls and epithelial basement membrane. Antibodies against bFGF reacted only with pterygial epithelium. Laminin was strongly expressed in blood vessel wall, moderately (++) in the epithelial basement membrane and weakly over the entire stroma. vWF was strongly positive (+++) with pterygial blood vessel walls. Antibody reactions for MMPs differed. It was strong with pterygial epithelium (MMPs 8, 9 and 13), strong to moderate with pterygial stroma (MMPs 8 and 13 versus 9), and absent to weak with pterygial vascular walls (MMPs 8 and 13 versus 9). CONCLUSIONS: This study documents the presence of several ECMs but excludes the expression of others in pterygial tissues. The results especially indicate an active involvement of MMPs 8, 9 and 13 in the pathogenesis of pterygia.

Catalytic- and ecto-domains of membrane type 1-matrix metalloproteinase have similar inhibition profiles but distinct endopeptidase activities.

Membrane type 1-matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP/MMP-14) is a major collagenolytic enzyme that plays a vital role in development and morphogenesis. To elucidate further the structure-function relationship between the human MT1-MMP active site and the influence of the haemopexin domain on catalysis, substrate specificity and inhibition kinetics of the cdMT1-MMP (catalytic domain of MT1-MMP) and the ecto domain DeltaTM-MT1-MMP (transmembrane-domain-deleted MT1-MMP) were compared. For substrate 1 [Mca-Pro-Leu-Gly-Leu-Dpa-Ala-Arg-NH(2), where Mca stands for (7-methoxycoumarin-4-yl)acetyl- and Dpa for N -3-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-L-2,3-diaminopropionyl], the activation energy E (a) was determined to be 11.2 and 12.2 kcal/mol (1 cal=4.184 J) for cdMT1-MMP and DeltaTM-MT1-MMP respectively, which is consistent with k (cat)/ K (M) values of 7.37 and 1.46x10(4) M(-1).s(-1). The k (cat)/ K (M) values for a series of similar single-stranded peptide substrates were determined and found to correlate with a slope of 0.17 for the two enzyme forms. A triple-helical peptide substrate was predicted to have a k (cat)/ K (M) of 0.87x10(4) M(-1).s(-1) for DeltaTM-MT1-MMP based on the value for cdMT1-MMP of 5.12x10(4) M(-1).s(-1); however, the actual value was determined to be 2.5-fold higher, i.e. 2.18x10(4) M(-1).s(-1). These results suggest that cdMT1-MMP is catalytically more efficient towards small peptide substrates than DeltaTM-MT1-MMP and the haemopexin domain of MT1-MMP facilitates the hydrolysis of triple-helical substrates. Diastereomeric inhibitor pairs were utilized to probe further binding similarities at the active site. Ratios of K (i) values for the inhibitor pairs were found to correlate between the enzyme forms with a slope of 1.03, suggesting that the haemopexin domain does not significantly modify the enzyme active-site structure.

Clinical relevance of matrix metalloproteinase-13 determined with a new highly specific and sensitive ELISA in ascitic fluid of advanced ovarian carcinoma patients.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in many physiological and pathophysiological processes, including tumor cell invasion and metastasis. For one member of this family, MMP-13 (collagenase-3), a new, highly specific ELISA with a sensitivity of 0.5 ng MMP-13/ml was established. The protein levels of MMP-13 in ascitic fluids of 30 patients with advanced ovarian cancer FIGO stage III (n = 19) and IV (n = 11) were measured with this ELISA. Using a cut-off value of 0.5 ng MMP-13/mg total protein, two patient subpopulations with short (median 16 months) and long (median 36 months) overall survival were identified. Together with other prognostic markers, determination of MMP-13 in ascitic fluid may help to identify patients at risk for early death and help to individualize adjuvant therapy.

Angiogenin: a novel inhibitor of neutrophil lactoferrin release during extracorporeal circulation.

Degranulation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) occurs during extracorporeal circulation. A degranulation-inhibiting protein identical to angiogenin was recently isolated from high-flux dialyzer ultrafiltrate. This protein inhibits the release of lactoferrin and metalloproteinases from PMNL in vitro. In the present study, we investigated end-stage renal disease patients undergoing regular hemodialysis treatment with either high-flux dialyzers (n = 51) or low-flux dialyzers (n = 44), and chronically uremic patients undergoing hemodiafiltration (n = 30). Hemodialysis therapy with low-flux polysulfone or cellulose triacetate membranes caused no or only minimal reduction (

Kinetic analysis of the binding of hemopexin-like domain of gelatinase B cloned and expressed in Pichia pastoris to tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1.

The gelatinases are a subgroup of the matrix metalloproteinase family. The interaction of their C-terminal hemopexin-like domain with a tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP) is a major part of the regulatory mechanisms of gelatinases. To investigate the interaction of the hemopexin-like domain of gelatinase B (92-Pex) and TIMP-1, we expressed the individual domain in Pichia pastoris. The active refolded domain was purified by ion exchange chromatography and gel filtration. We investigated the formation of the 92-Pex/TIMP-1 complex by surface plasmon resonance (SPR). The dissociation constant Kd was calculated to be 0.86 nM. Analogous to the complex of the hemopexin-like domain of gelatinase A and TIMP-2 (Olson, M. W. et al., 1997), the binding curves of the 92-Pex/TIMP-1 complex were best fitted with a monophasic model.

ADAM-9 is an insulin-like growth factor binding protein-5 protease produced and secreted by human osteoblasts.

IGF binding protein-5 (BP-5) is an important bone formation regulator. Therefore, elucidation of the identity of IGF binding protein-5 (BP-5) protease produced by osteoblasts is important for our understanding of the molecular pathways that control the action of BP-5. In this regard, BP-5 protease purified by various chromatographic steps from a conditioned medium of U2 human osteosarcoma cells migrated as a single major band, which comigrated with the protease activity in native PAGE and yielded multiple bands in SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions. N-Terminal sequencing of these bands revealed that three of the bands yielded amino acid sequences that were identical to that of alpha2 macroglobulin (alpha2M). Although alpha2M was produced by human osteoblasts (OBs), it was not found to be a BP-5 protease. Because alpha2M had been shown to complex with ADAM proteases and because ADAM-12 was found to cleave BP-3 and BP-5, we evaluated if one of the members of ADAM family was the BP-5 protease. On the basis of the findings that (1) purified preparations of BP-5 protease from U2 cell CM contained ADAM-9, (2) ADAM-9 is produced and secreted in high abundance by various human OB cell types, (3) purified ADAM-9 cleaved BP-5 effectively while it did not cleave other IGFBPs or did so with less potency, and (4) purified ADAM-9 bound to alpha2M, we conclude that ADAM-9 is a BP-5 protease produced by human OBs.

Autolytic processing at Glu586-Ser587 within the cysteine-rich domain of human adamalysin 19/disintegrin-metalloproteinase 19 is necessary for its proteolytic activity.

We investigated the regulation of the proteolytic activity of human adamalysin 19 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 19, hADAM19). It was processed at Glu(586)(P1)-Ser(587)(P1') site in the cysteine-rich domain as shown by protein N-terminal sequencing. This truncation was autolytic as illustrated by its R199A/R200A or E346A mutation that prevented the zymogen activation by furin or abolished the catalytic activity. Reagents that block furin-mediated activation of pro-hADAM19, decRVKR-CMK, and brefeldin A abrogated this processing. The sizes of the side chains of the P1 and P1' residues are critical for the processing of hADAM19. The amount of processing product in the E586Q or S587A mutant with a side chain almost the same size as that in the wild type was almost equal. Conversely, very little processing was observed when the size of the side chain was changed significantly, such as in the E586A, E586G, or S587F mutants. Two mutants with presumably subtle structural distinctions from wild type hADAM19, E586D and S587T, displayed rare or little processing and had very low capacities to cleave alpha2-macroglobulin and a peptide substrate. Therefore, this processing is necessary for hADAM19 to exert its proteolytic activities. Moreover, a new peptide substrate, Ac-RPLE-SNAV, which is identical to the processing site sequence, was cleaved at the E-S bond by soluble hADAM19 containing the catalytic and disintegrin domains. This enzyme cleaved the substrate with K(m), k(cat), and k(cat)/K(m) of 2.0 mm, 2.4/min, and 1200 m(-1) min(-1), respectively, using a fluorescamine assay. Preliminary studies showed that a protein kinase C activator, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, promoted the cellular processing of hADAM19; however, three calmodulin antagonists, trifluoperazine, W7, and calmidazolium, impaired this cleavage, indicating complex signal pathways may be involved in the processing.

Computational study of the catalytic domain of human neutrophil collagenase. specific role of the S3 and S'3 subsites in the interaction with a phosphonate inhibitor.

Human neutrophil collagenase (HNC, MMP-8) is one of the target enzymes for drug treatment of pathologic extracellular matrix degradation. Peptidomimetic inhibitors bind in the S'-side of the enzyme active site occupying the S'1 primary specificity pocket by their large hydrophobic side-chains. The crystal structure of the complex between the catalytic domain of MMP-8 and Pro-Leu-L-TrpP(OH)2 (PLTP) showed that this phosphonate inhibitor binds in the S side of the active site. This finding was unexpected since it represents the first example of accommodation of the bulky Trp indolyl chain in the S1 rather than in the S'1 subsite. Dynamical and structural factors favouring this uncommon mode of binding were therefore investigated. MD simulations performed on the uncomplexed enzyme show that its structure in aqueous solution is only slightly different from the crystal structure found in the complex with PLTP. ED analysis of the MD simulations, performed on PLTP alternatively interacting with the S- or S'-side of the active site, shows that the enzyme fluctuation increases in both cases. The main contribution to the overall enzyme fluctuation is given by the loop 164-173. The fluctuation of this loop is spread over more degrees of freedom when PLTP interacts with the S-side. This dynamical factor can enhance the preference of PLTP for the S subsites of MMP-8. MD simulations also show that ligation of PLTP in the S subsites is further favoured by better zinc chelation, a cation-pi interaction at the S3 subsite and unstrained binding conformations. The role of the S3, S'3 and S'1 subsites in determining the inhibitor binding is discussed.

Identification of the active site of gelatinase B as the structural element sufficient for converting a protein to a metalloprotease.

Gelatinase B is a member of the matrix metalloproteinase family that efficiently cleaves gelatin, elastin, and types V and X collagen. To understand the contribution of the active site of the enzyme (amino acid residues 373-456) in these activities, we studied catalytic properties of a fusion protein consisting of maltose binding protein and the active site region of gelatinase B. We found that addition of the active site of gelatinase B, which corresponds to 12% of the total protein molecule, to maltose binding protein is sufficient to endow the protein with the ability to cleave the peptide substrates Mca-PLGL(Dpa)AR-NH(2) and DNP-PLGLWA-(D)-R-NH(2). The fusion protein hydrolyzed the Mca-PLGL(Dpa)AR-NH(2) peptide with the same efficiency as that of the stromelysin, k(cat)/K(m) approximately 1.07 x 10(6) M(-)(1) h(-)(1). The fusion protein, however, was not able to degrade the large substrate, gelatin. Inhibition of the activity of the protein by EDTA suggested that its activity was metal dependent. ESR analyses indicated that the fusion protein bound one molecule of Zn(2+). In addition, Z-Pro-Leu-Gly-hydroxamate and TIMP-1 inhibited the activity of the protein, suggesting that the structure of the active site of the fusion protein is similar to that of the other metalloproteinases. These data provide fundamental information about the structural elements required for transforming a protein to a metalloprotease.

Oxal hydroxamic acid derivatives with inhibitory activity against matrix metalloproteinases.

Several amines, amino acid derivatives and low molecular weight peptides containing an amide-bound oxal hydroxamic acid moiety have been synthesized and tested for their inhibitory effects towards native human gelatinase B (MMP-9) and the catalytic domains of the membrane type MT1-MMP (MMP-14) and of neutrophil collagenase (MMP-8). A number of these compounds exhibited considerable inhibitory activity against the tested metalloproteinases.

Modulation of the catalytic activity of neutrophil collagenase MMP-8 on bovine collagen I. Role of the activation cleavage and of the hemopexin-like domain.

The cleavage of bovine collagen I by neutrophil collagenase MMP-8 has been followed at pH 7.4, 37 degrees C. The behavior of the whole enzyme molecule (whMMP-8), displaying both the catalytic domain and the hemopexin-like domain, has been compared under the same experimental conditions with that of the catalytic domain only. The main observation is that whMMP-8 cleaves bovine collagen I only at a single specific site, as already reported by many others (Mallya, S. K., Mookhtiar, K. A., Gao, Y., Brew, K., Dioszegi, M., Birkedal-Hansen, H., and van Wart, H. E. (1990) Biochemistry 29, 10628-10634; Knäuper, V., Osthues, A., DeClerk, Y. A., Langley, K. A., Bläser, J., and Tschesche, H. (1993) Biochem. J. 291, 847-854; Marini, S., Fasciglione, G. F., De Sanctis, G., D'Alessio, S., Politi, V., and Coletta, M. (2000) J. Biol. Chem. 275, 18657-18663), whereas the catalytic domain lacks this specificity and cleaves the collagen molecule at multiple sites. Furthermore, a meaningful difference is observed for the cleavage features displayed by two forms of the catalytic domain, which differ for the N terminus resulting from the activation process (i.e. the former Met(80) of the proenzyme (MetMMP-8) and the former Phe(79) of the proenzyme (PheMMP-8)). Thus, the PheMMP-8 species is characterized by a much faster k(cat)/K(m), fully attributable to a lower K(m), suggesting that the conformation of the catalytic domain, induced by the insertion of this N-terminal residue in a specific pocket (Reinemer, P., Grams, F., Huber, R., Kleine, T., Schnierer, S., Piper, M., Tschesche, H., and Bode, W. (1994) FEBS Lett. 338, 227-233), brings about a better, although less discriminatory, recognition process of cleavage site(s) on bovine collagen I.

Influence of flavonoids and vitamins on the MMP- and TIMP-expression of human dermal fibroblasts after UVA irradiation.

UV irradiation leads to distinct changes in skin connective tissue by degradation of collagen, for example. Many of these alterations in the extracellular matrix are mediated by MMPs (matrix metalloproteinases) with reduced content of their antagonist TIMPs (tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases). Potential candidates to reduce MMP activity in the skin after solar stimulation were examined. The influence of vitamin C, vitamin E and the flavonoids AGR (alpha-glucosylrutin) and 8-prenylnaringenine on the MMP and TIMP expression was investigated. Human dermal fibroblasts were incubated with these additives and irradiated with UVA [10 J cm(-2)]. The gene expression of MMP-1 (collagenase-1) and TIMP-1, the protein expression of MMP-1, MMP-2 (gelatinase-A), TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 as well as the enzyme activity of MMP-1 and MMP-2 were examined. AGR and vitamins C and E were shown to reduce MMP expression and activity, whereas 8-prenylnaringenine appeared to be responsible for the opposite effect. None of the substances considerably influenced the TIMP levels. AGR represented the most effective additive in reducing the collagenase protein expression to 60% and may be useful to level out the MMP activity in the skin after sun exposure. Furthermore, no protein expression of MMP-8, MMP-9, MMP-12 and MMP-13 could be detected.