Figure 4

MT1-MMP-mediated regulation of COX-2 gene and protein expression is independent from MT1-MMP's catalytic functions. (A) Cell lysates were isolated from Mock-transfected, or U87 glioma cells that had been transiently transfected with a cDNA plasmid encoding MT1-MMP, which were subsequently treated (or not) with 10 μM Ilomastat (Ilo). SDS-PAGE was performed (20 μg protein/well), followed by Western-blotting and COX-2 or MT1-MMP immunodetection. Gelatin zymography was also used to monitor the extent of latent proMMP-2 and active MMP-2 expression from the conditioned media of the serum-starved cells. (B) Total RNA was extracted from the above described cell conditions and gene expression levels assessed by qRT-PCR for COX-2 in the absence (white bars) or the presence of Ilomastat (black bars).