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

Abstract
Human collagenase‐3 (MMP‐13) is a matrix metalloproteinase originally identified in breast carcinomas. Recent studies have revealed that this enzyme is also produced by a variety of malignant tumors including head and neck carcinomas, chondrosarcomas and basal cell carcinomas of the skin. In all cases, the expression of collagenase‐3 is associated with aggressive tumors. Different cytokines, growth factors and tumor promoters are able to up‐regulate collagenase‐3 expression in tumor cells or in stromal cells surrounding epithelial tumor cells. Functional analysis of the collagenase‐3 gene promoter has allowed the identification of AP‐1 and OSE‐2 elements mediating, at least in part, its expression in both normal and pathological conditions.