Role of Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1)/Protease-activated Receptor-1 (PAR-1) Signaling Pathway in the Cervical Cancer Invasion

Objective To investigate the role of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1)/protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1) signaling in the cervical cancer invasion. Methods RT-PCR was used to test the mRNA level of MMP-1 in 59 cases of cervical squamous cell cancer. Cell invasion was evaluated by Transwell assay to explore the effect of adding human recombinant MMP-1 (rhMMP-1) and PAR1-siRNA on cervical cancer invasion. Results In cervical cancer tissues, more MMP-1 expression was observed than that in the normal cervical tissues, and its expression correlated with cancer status. Human recombinant MMP-1 (rhMMP-1) could promote Hela cell invasion, and its number of invasive cell correlated with the concentration of rhMMP-1. Disrupting the expression of PAR-1 reduced the MMP-1 promoting-effect on Hela cell invasion, but had no effect on non-MMP-1 invasive action. Conclusion The MMP-1/PAR-1 signaling pathway is involved in cervical cancer invasion. Therefore, blocking PAR-1 may represent a new therapeutic option for metastatic cervical cancer.