BACKGROUND: Invasion and metastasis cause death of patients with liver cancer. Increased expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) is closely associated with tumor progression. Type Ⅳ collagen is the main structure protein of basilar membrane which is a natural barrier for inhibiting the metastasis of liver cancer cells. In this experiment, we used all trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) to inhibit collagenase type Ⅳ in order to protect the type Ⅳ collagen and basilar membrane, further to suppress the metastasis of hepatocellular carcinomas.
METHODS: By the use of cell culture and experimental animal models, the influence of all trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) on the invasion of Hca-F liver cancer cells was studied in terms of adhesion capacity to artificial basilar membrane and production of collagenase type IV.
RESULT: ATRA could inhibit the adhesion capacity and collagenase IV secretion of Hca-F cells in a dose-dependent manner.
CONCLUSION: ATRA can exert multiple effects on the invasion of Hca-F cells.