Matrix metalloproteases (MMP 2 and 9) activities
Breast tissue expressed both MMP2 and MMP9. Compared to the surrounding
tissue, the tumour tissue had a higher expression of MMP9. MMP9 was not
similarly expressed in all the tumors, some tumors had less, whereas
some had more MMP9. MMP2 expression was less in the tumor in comparison
to the corresponding surroundings. MMPs are vital in cancers. MMP-9 can
cleave many extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins to regulate ECM
remodeling. Several plasma surface proteins can also be cleaved by it,
releasing them from the cell surface. MMP-9 has been widely found to
relate to the pathology of cancers, including but not limited to
invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis (31).