OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2 (TIMP-2) on the infiltrative patterns of human monocytic leukemic cell line SHI-1 in nude mice.

METHODS1) 1 x 10(7) TIMP-2 gene transduced SHI-1 (SHI-1-TIMP-2) and SHI-1 transduced MSCV gene (SHI-1-MSCV) cells were inoculated via tail vein into 6-week nude mice, which pretreated by splenectomy, cytoxan intraperitoneal injection, and sublethal irradiation(referred as SCI nude mice). 30 days after inoculation, half of the mice were sacrificed, and the infiltration patterns were investigated by histological exam and human CD45 immunohistochemistry, other mice were observed for survival time. 2) Leukemic cells inoculated subcutaneously into the axillary area of mice without any pre-treatment. On day 23 and 30, mice were sacrificed to measure the volume of neoplasm. TIMP-2 protein expression and the micro vein density were detected by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSIn SCI nude mice inoculated via caudal vein with SHI-1-TIMP-2 cells, the survival time was shorter and infiltration (including in central nervous system) was higher than that in those inoculated with SHI-1-MSCV cells. However, in inoculated subcutaneously group, the neoplasm though grew rapidly at first, over expression of TIMP-2 limited the tumor growth and angiogenesis.

CONCLUSIONThe functions of TIMP-2 are diversity; the role of TIMP-2 in tumor infiltration and metastasis was worthy of further investigation.