Human neutrophil peptide-1 affects matrix metalloproteinase-2, -8 and -9 secretions of oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines in vitro.

OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of HNP-1 on the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, -8 and -9 secretions of two oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell lines (UT-SCC-43A and UT-SCC-43B). DESIGN: In all experiments, the two OSCC cell lines were incubated with graded concentrations (0, 1, 5, and 10 mug/ml) of HNP-1 for 24 and 48 h. Cell viability was measured using a colorimetric proliferation test and cell death was analyzed with a colorimetric cytotoxicity detection kit. Enzyme activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was detected by using gelatin zymography, and molecular weight forms of MMP-8 were determined by Western-blot and a densitometric quantitation method. RESULTS: Both cell lines showed a significant increase in LDH toxicity at 24h (UT-SCC-43A: p=0.005 & UT-SCC-43B: p=0.014). Reduced gelatinolytic activities of proMMP-2 were detected in UT-SCC-43B cell line after 24 and 48 h of incubation with HNP-1 (1 mug/ml: p<0.001, 5 mug/ml: p<0.001, and 10 mug/ml: p=0.0225). MMP-8 levels of both cell lines decreased at 200-250 kDa after 24h of incubation, while after 48 h only UT-SCC-43B decreased at 45-50 kDa. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that HNP-1 suppresses the secretion of MMP-2, -8, and -9 in OSCC cell lines.