EXPRESSION OF TISSUE INHIBITOR OF METALLOPROTEINASE-1 AND TYPE-IV COLLAGENASE GELATINASE MESSENGER-RNAS IN HUMAN BREAST-CANCER/

The relationship between malignant epithelial cell growth and the form ation of tumor stroma is poorly understood. To investigate the roles o f type TV collagenases/gelatinases and tissue inhibitor of metalloprot einase-l (TIMP-1) in human breast cancer, ive localized their messenge r RNAs (mRNAs) in normal and malignant breast tissue. Type IV collagen ase/gelatinase mRNAs were expressed at low levels by some tumor cells. High levels of TIMP-1 mRNA were found in all areas where tissue remod eling was evident, particularly in cells at the tumor-stromal interfac e. Small blood vessels in both the tumor and stroma were often outline d by high levels of TIMP-1 mRNA. These results indicate that TIMP-1 an d type TV collagenases/gelatinases are expressed independently in brea st cancer.