Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
2537539 | European Journal of Pharmacology | 2006 | 7 Pages |
Abstract
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) are ubiquitous enzymes involved in extracellular matrix remodeling, and as a consequence in a number of physiological and pathological states, including development, wound healing and cancer. A crucial feature of cancer progression and metastasis is the disruption of extracellular matrix, and spreading of proliferating cancer cells. Modulation of MMP is a main target of cancer research. Using the mouse fibrosarcoma cell line WEHI 164, producing high amounts of MMP-2, we investigated whether we could modulate its production. We report that MMP-2 is under the control of nitric oxide (NO)/nitric oxide synthase (NOS) system. In addition, we show that NOS activity is controlled by opioids in a non-opioid receptor-related manner. Finally, we provide evidence that morphine, when administrated at low, non-toxic concentrations (< 10â 9 M) attenuates MMP-2 activity. We conclude that, as morphine is able to decrease metalloproteinase activity via the NO/NOS system, it may have a place in the treatment of several sarcomas including fibrosarcoma.
Keywords
Related Topics
Life Sciences
Neuroscience
Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
Authors
Ahmad Shariftabrizi, Artemissia-Phoebe Nifli, Mohammad Ansari, Farshid Saadat, Mohammad Reza Ebrahimkhani, Nastaran Alizadeh, Azadeh Nasseh, Vassilia-Ismini Alexaki, Ahmad Reza Dehpour, Elias Castanas, Mohammad Reza Khorramizadeh,