Control of Tumor Progression by Extracellular Matrix Molecule Fragments, the Matrikines

Abstract

Tumor microenvironment is a complex system composed of a largely altered Extracellular Matrix (ECM) with different cell types that determine tumor progression. Upon the influence of hypoxia, tumor cells secrete cytokines that activate stromal cells to produce proteases and angiogenic factors. The proteases degrade the stromal ECM and participate in the release of various ECM fragments, named matrikines or matricryptins, capable to control tumor invasion and metastasis dissemination. The putative targets of the matrikine action are the proliferation and invasive properties of tumor or inflammatory cells, and the angiogenic and lymphangiogenic responses. In the present review, we will describe pro-tumorigenic effects triggered by soluble elastin or Elastin-Derived Peptides (EDPs), as well as the anti-tumorigenic or anti-angiogenic activities the matrikines derived from basement membrane associated collagens and several proteoglycans such as perlecan or lumican. Matrikines constitute a new family of potent anticancer agents that could be used under various therapeutic strategies: i) induction of their overexpression by cancer cells or by the host, ii) use of recombinant proteins or synthetic peptides or structural analogs designed from the structure of the active sequences. Matrikines could be used in combination with conventional chemotherapy or radiotherapy to limit tumor progression.