Submitted February 28, 2006
Accepted March 28, 2006
Cell-surface association between matrix
metalloproteinases: Role of the complexes in leukocyte migration and cancer progression
Michael Stefanidakis* and Erkki Koivunen
Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland
* Corresponding author; email: stefanid{at}mappi.helsinki.fi.
Leukocyte motility is known to be dependent on both 
2-integrins and matrix metalloproteinases MMP-2/-9 or gelatinases, which mediate leukocyte adhesion and the proteolysis needed for invasion, respectively. Gelatinases not only play an important role in cell migration, tissue remodelling and angiogenesis during development, but are also involved in the progression and invasiveness of many cancers, including leukemias. The concept that MMPs associate with integrins, as well as its importance in some physiological and pathological conditions has been advanced previously but has not been examined on leukocytes. This review will mainly examine the function the MMP-integrin complexes in normal leukocyte migration and the effect of integrin and broad-spectrum MMP inhibitors in tumor progression.
