Table 1

Differences in proteinase and inhibitor production and MMP activity in the different breast tissues (median (range))

Breast tumours (n = 51)Background breast (n = 43)Normal breast (n = 10)MCF-7 cells (n = 10)
For proteinases and inhibitors, the values are arbitrary units (OD × area of band).
For RSH (rate of substrate hydrolysis) the units are pM/min.
MMP, matrix metalloproteinase; OD, optical density; TIMP, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases; uPA, urokinase-type plasminogen activator.
*p < 0.05, ANOVA, Mann Whitney, tumour versus other breast tissues
MMP-9
Latent0–33.6 (10.5)0–24.9 (6.6)0–12.6 (7.8)0–23.4 (4.5)
Active0–23.5 (11.6)*0–7.6 (0)00
Total0–70.6 (12.0)0–24.7 (7.1)0–12.6 (7.8)0–23.4 (4.5)
MMP-2
Latent0.3–20.46 (5.7)0.2–18.9 (3.2)1.8–14.4 (6.8)3.3–26.3 (8.5)
Active0–34.2 (5.3)*0–11.8 (0)0–1.1 (0.25)0
Total0.3–52.0 (8.3)0.2–12.1 (3.6)2.9–15.4 (7.1)3.3–26.3 (8.5)
MMP-3
Latent0–9.2 (5.0)*0–3.7 (0)00
Active0–27.7 (0)0–17.6 (0)0–7.7 (2.13)0
Total0–31.4 (4.0)*0–17.6 (0)0–7.7 (2.13)0
MMP-1
Latent0–2.6 (0)0 (0)00
Active0–3.3 (0)0 (0)00
Total0–5.9 (0)0 (0)00
uPA0–56.0 (6.9)0–16.0 (1.5)0–7.3 (5.2)0
TIMP-10–224.2 (6.0)0–24.3 (1.6)0
TIMP-23.1–36.5 (11.7)0–26.4 (7.7)0
RSH0–8325.0 (808.4)*0–2245.0 (225.1)6.4–2763.6 (278.7)81.5–621.8 (468.2)