The fibrinolytic system facilitates tumor cell migration across the blood-brain barrier in experimental melanoma brain metastasis

• Main Authors: Bronson Roderick T, Stins Monique F, Lin Tina, Zhuge Yuzheng, Perides George, Wu Julian K
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2006-03-01
• Series: BMC Cancer
• Online Access: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2407/6/56
• ISSN: 1471-2407

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Patients with metastatic tumors to the brain have a very poor prognosis. Increased metastatic potential has been associated with the fibrinolytic system. We investigated the role of the fibrinolytic enzyme plasmin in tumor cell migration across brain endothelial cells and growth of brain metastases in an experimental metastatic melanoma model.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Metastatic tumors to the brain were established by direct injection into the striatum or by intracarotid injection of B16F10 mouse melanoma cells in C57Bl mice. The role of plasminogen in the ability of human melanoma cells to cross a human blood-brain barrier model was studied on a transwell system.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Wild type mice treated with the plasmin inhibitor epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA) and <it>plg</it>^-/-mice developed smaller tumors and survived longer than untreated wild type mice. Tumors metastasized to the brain of wild type mice treated with EACA and <it>plg</it>^-/-less efficiently than in untreated wild type mice. No difference was observed in the tumor growth in any of the three groups of mice. Human melanoma cells were able to cross the human blood-brain barrier model in a plasmin dependent manner.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Plasmin facilitates the development of tumor metastasis to the brain. Inhibition of the fibrinolytic system could be considered as means to prevent tumor metastasis to the brain.</p>