BACKGROUND Matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP7), as the smallest member of the matrix metalloproteinase family, has been verified to be implicated in cancer progression, especially metastasis. However, its expression pattern and function in tongue cancer is not clear. METHODS The expression of MMP7 in human tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) specimens compared with their respective paired nontumour tissues by real-time PCR and immunohistochemical staining. The effect of MMP7 on the proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion of tongue cancer cells was tested in appropriate ways after MMP7 siRNA knockdown or overexpression. The effect of MMP7 on lymph node metastasis in vivo was analyzed using a high-metastasis orthotopic nude mouse tongue transplanted tumour model. RESULTS We found markedly elevated expression of MMP7 in human TSCC specimens compared with their respective paired nontumour tissues, and this high expression was correlated with the patients' lymph node metastasis. Furthermore, the results of molecular functional assays confirmed that MMP7 promotes cell proliferation, migration and invasion of TSCC cells. Knockdown of MMP7 inhibited lymph nodes metastasis in vivo. CONCLUSIONS MMP7 plays an oncogenic role in carcinogenesis and metastasis of tongue cancer, and may serve as a potential therapeutic target for tongue cancer.

中文翻译：

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基质金属蛋白酶7的表达升高促进舌鳞状细胞癌的增殖，运动和转移。

背景技术作为基质金属蛋白酶家族的最小成员的基质金属蛋白酶7（MMP7）已被证实与癌症进展特别是转移有关。但是，其在舌癌中的表达模式和功能尚不清楚。方法采用实时荧光定量PCR和免疫组化染色技术，比较人舌鳞状细胞癌（TSCC）标本及其配对的非肿瘤组织中MMP7的表达。MMP7 siRNA敲低或过表达后，以适当的方式测试了MMP7对舌癌细胞的增殖，凋亡，迁移，侵袭的影响。使用高转移原位裸鼠舌移植肿瘤模型分析了MMP7对体内淋巴结转移的影响。结果我们发现人TSCC标本中MMP7的表达与其配对的非肿瘤组织相比明显升高，而这种高表达与患者的淋巴结转移有关。此外，分子功能测定的结果证实，MMP7促进了TSCC细胞的增殖，迁移和侵袭。击倒MMP7抑制体内淋巴结转移。结论MMP7在舌癌的癌变和转移中起着致癌作用，并可能成为舌癌的潜在治疗靶标。TSCC细胞的迁移和侵袭。击倒MMP7抑制体内淋巴结转移。结论MMP7在舌癌的癌变和转移中起着致癌作用，并可能成为舌癌的潜在治疗靶标。TSCC细胞的迁移和侵袭。击倒MMP7抑制体内淋巴结转移。结论MMP7在舌癌的癌变和转移中起着致癌作用，并可能成为舌癌的潜在治疗靶标。