Growth factor regulation of secreted matrix metalloproteinase and plasminogen activators in prostate cancer cells, normal prostate fibroblasts and normal osteoblasts

We assessed the relative levels of secreted matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and plasminogen activators (PAs) in PC-3 cells, prostate fibroblasts and osteoblasts in the presence and absence of VEGF, TGFbeta1 and bFGF. Fibroblasts and osteoblasts secreted more MMPs -1 and -2 than did PC-3 cells, while PC-3 s contributed the majority of PAs. MMP-1 expression was downregulated by transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFbeta1) treatment in prostate fibroblasts and upregulated by basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in both stromal lines. In PC-3 cells, TGFbeta1 and bFGF increased urokinase plasminogen activator secretion. TGFbeta1 decreased tissue plasminogen activator secretion in all cell lines. Prostate cancer cells associated with fibroblasts or osteoblasts have a variety of MMPs and PAs to facilitate matrix degradation.