Anti-MMP-9: Mouse MMP-9 Antibody

Elevated expression of MMP-9, along with MMP-2 is usually seen in invasive and highly tumorigenic cancers.³ MMPs promote tumor progression and metastasis in invasive cancers by degradation of the ECM (ExtraCellular Matrix), which consists of two main components: Basement membranes and interstitial connective tissue. Though ECM comprises of many proteins (laminin-5, proteoglycans, entactin, osteonectin) collagen IV is the major element. MMP-2 & MMP-9 efficiently degrade collagen IV and laminin-5 thereby, assisting the metastatic cancerous cells to pass through the basement membrane. The degradation of ECM not only assists migration of metastatic cancerous cells, but also allows enhanced tumor growth by providing necessary space. Further, it is noteworthy that the ratio of active to latent form of MMP-9 increased with tumor progression in invasive cancers. MMP-9, with its family members also promotes angiogenesis (a critical process required for tumor cell survival) by degrading the vascular basement membrane interstitium and also by releasing sequestered VEGF, which is a well know angiogenic molecule. Localization of MMP9 to the cell surface is required to promote tumor invasion and angiogenesis.⁴