Matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 secretion by the human JAR choriocarcinoma cell line is stimulated by TNF-α

The JAR choriocarcinoma cell line share many of the characteristics of early placental trophoblast cells including the invasion properties. Matrix metallo-proteinases (MMPs), the main actors of matrix proteolysis, are involved in normal invasion as well as in the invasive character of tumor cells and the metastase formation. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is present in the placental environment and TNF-α levels are elevated in some placental pathologies. In the present work, we addressed whether TNF-α is a modulator of JAR cell MMP secretion. Following TNF-α stimulation, zymographic analysis showed the increased secretion of the active form of MMP-2 and to a lesser extent proMMP-2 and MMP-9. In addition, MMP-2 gene expression only increased slightly whereas MMP-9 and TIMP-1 transcripts were undetectable. This suggests that TNF-α may modulate the secretion of MMPs independently of MMP gene expression control.