Expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in co-culture of H460 and mononuclear cells in three-dimensional collagen gels

AIM:To explore the effect of the co-culture of H460 and mononuclear cells in three-dimensional (3D) collagen gels on the expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-2, -9 (MMP-2,-9). METHODS: Cells cultured in 3D collagen gels were divided into the H460 group (HG), the mononuclear cell group (MG) and the co-culture group of H460 and mononuclear cells (HMG), respectively. The growth of cells was observed under microscope. The expressions of MMPs were detected by gelatin zymography at 24, 72, 120 h after culture. RESULTS: Cells in collagen gels grew well. MMP-2,-9 were not detected in MG, but obviously seen in the other 2 groups. The levels of MMP-2, -9 in HMG were significantly higher than those in HG. CONCLUSION: More MMPs secreted in HMG than in HG shows that mononuclear cells in carcinoma tissue may promote the proliferation, invasion and metastasis of cancer cells.