Figure 8.

Effect of MT1-MMP expression on adult and old collagen I-induced apoptosis. A. Western blot analysis was performed using anti-MT1-MMP specific antibody. HT1080 cell lysate was used as a positive control. GAPDH was used as a loading control. B. MCF-7 VEC (empty vector) and MCF-7 MT1-MMP (full length MT1-MMP expression vector) cells were seeded in adult and old type I collagen 3D matrices at a density of 1.5 × 10⁴ cells/ml. After 6 days of culture viable cell density was evaluated by phase contrast microscopy. C. MCF-7 VEC and MCF-7 MT1-MMP cells were seeded in adult or old 3D type I collagen matrices for 6 days before harvesting the cells. Apoptosis was assessed by ELISA. D. MCF-7 VEC and MCF-7 MT1-MMP cells were seeded on plastic or in adult or old 3D type I collagen matrices for 6 days. The cells were harvested and BIK expression was assessed by RT-qPCR. Values represent the mean ± S.E.M. of three independent experiments (*p < 0.05, ***p < 0.001, N.S = not significant).