A catalytically inactive gelatinase B/MMP-9 mutant impairs homing of chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells by altering migration regulatory pathways

We previously showed that MMP-9 overexpression impairs migration of primary CLL cells and MEC-1 cells transfected with MMP-9. To determine the contribution of non-proteolytic activities to this effect we generated MEC-1 transfectants stably expressing catalytically inactive MMP-9MutE (MMP-9MutE-cells). In xenograft models in mice, MMP-9MutE-cells showed impaired homing to spleen and bone marrow, compared to cells transfected with empty vector (Mock-cells). In vitro transendothelial and random migration of MMP-9MutE-cells were also reduced. Biochemical analyses indicated that RhoAGTPase and p-Akt were not downregulated by MMP-9MutE, at difference with MMP-9. However, MMP-9MutE-cells or primary cells incubated with MMP-9MutE had significantly reduced p-ERK and increased PTEN, accounting for the impaired migration. Our results emphasize the role of non-proteolytic MMP-9 functions contributing to CLL progression.