Induction of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) during epidermal invasion of the stroma in human skin organ culture: keratinocyte stimulation of fibroblast MMP-1 production

Organ cultures of human skin were incubated for 8 days under growth factor-free conditions or exposed to 10 ng ml(−1) of human recombinant epidermal growth factor (EGF) during the incubation period. Normal histological features were preserved in the absence of growth factor, while epithelial cells underwent a proliferative response and invaded the underlying stroma in the presence of exogenous EGF. The same concentrations of EGF that induced stromal invasion also resulted in up-regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9; 92-kD gelatinase B) in organ culture and keratinocyte monolayer culture, and expression of MMP-1 (interstitial collagenase) in organ culture and fibroblast monolayer culture. When skin organ cultures were exposed to a potent, irreversible EGF–receptor tyrosine kinase (EGF–RTK) antagonist along with EGF, abnormal histological features were reversed, and MMP-9 production was suppressed. In contrast, EGF-RKT antagonism had only a modest inhibitory effect on MMP-1 production. Culture fluid from keratinocytes grown in monolayer culture stimulated fibroblast proliferation and MMP-1 elaboration. Treatment of fibroblasts with the same EGF–RTK antagonist inhibited keratinocyte-induced fibroblast proliferation but had only a modest inhibitory effect (approximately 20% inhibition) on MMP-1 production. In contrast, treatment of dermal fibroblasts with Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist had no effect on keratinocyte-induced fibroblast growth but strongly inhibited MMP-1 production (greater than 70% inhibition). These data indicate that stromal invasion by epithelial cells in EGF-treated skin is associated with events occurring in both the epidermis and dermis. The direct effect of the exogenous growth factor appears to be primarily on the epidermis. Dermal events reflect, at least in part, a response to factors elaborated in the epidermis. © 2001 Cancer Research Campaign http://www.bjcancer.com