Investigation of the degradation and the mechanisms of artificial basement membrane co-cultured with oral carcinoma-associated fibroblasts / 华西口腔医学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the degradation of artificial basement membrane (matrigel) co-cultured with oral carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and its possible mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>CAFs and normal fibroblasts (NFs) were incubated on matrigel for 24, 48, 72 h. Equivalent amounts of conditioned medium were collected and assayed for total protein, hydroxyproline and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activity by gelatin zymography.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Oral CAFs were superior to oral NFs in total protein and hydroxyproline density, CAFs present more pro-MMP-2 and activated MMP-2.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CAFs were superior to NFs in degradation of matrigel. CAFs might play a key role in the reconstitution of extracellular matrix and the progression of tumor.</p>