HMGA1 and MMP-11 Are Overexpressed in Human Non-melanoma Skin Cancer

Abstract

Background/aim: The High-Mobility Group A1 (HMGA1) protein has been implicated in human malignancies, playing an important role in cancer proliferation, angiogenesis and metastasis. Increased HMGA1 expression has been found in skin mouse tumors, whereas Hmga1-null mice were protected against skin carcinogenesis. Here, we examined the expression of HMGA1 in human skin tumors, squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma.

Materials and methods: Tumor and normal skin tissues from 15 affected patients were surgically excised, and mRNA and protein extraction was performed. mRNA and protein content for both HMGA1 and MMP-11, a proteinase enzyme that plays a role in tumor development and progression, was measured by real-time PCR and western blotting, respectively. Data were analyzed by the SPSS software.

Results: HMGA1 mRNA and protein expression patterns were higher in neoplastic skin lesions, compared to normal skin (p<0.001). Similar results were observed for MMP-11.

Conclusion: Our data confirm previous observations in mice studies, and suggest that HMGA1 and MMP-11 may play a key role in the proliferation and progression of skin tumors in humans.

Keywords: HMGA1; MMP-11; basal cell carcinoma; skin cancer; squamous cell carcinoma.