Soluble matriptase was detected in the conditioned media from all of 5 colon and 4 breast carcinoma cell lines and 8 of 10 stomach carcinoma cell lines tested.
We examined HGF, the HGF receptor (c-Met), HGFA, matriptase, and the activation inhibitors (HAI-1 and HAI-2), tissues from patients with breast cancer.
However, the significant correlation between MT-SP1 and uPAR transcript levels in this initial study suggests further work to establish the role of MT-SP1 as a possible prognostic, diagnostic or therapeutic target for breast cancer.
In contrast, the breast cancer cells of low invasive nature (MCF-7) displayed a low level of c-Met and HGFA expression, while expressing the HAI genes to a high degree.