Expression and regulation of collagenase-3 (MMP-13) in human malignant tumors

Human collagenase-3 (MMP-13) is a matrix metalloproteinase originally ident ified in breast carcinomas. Recent studies have revealed that this enzyme i s also produced by a variety of malignant tumors including head and neck ca rcinomas, chondrosarcomas and basal cell carcinomas of the skin. In all cas es, the expression of collagenase-3 is associated with aggressive tumors. D ifferent cytokines, growth factors and tumor promoters are able to up-regul ate collagenase-3 expression in tumor cells or in stromal cells surrounding epithelial tumor cells. Functional analysis of the collagenase-3 gene prom oter has allowed the identification of AP-1 and OSE-2 elements mediating, a t least in part, its expression in both normal and pathological conditions.