ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the expression of gelatinases, including matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9, gelatinase B) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2, gelatinase A), in CD(34)(+) cells and leukemic cell lines, and explore the significance of gelatinase in migrating and homing capacity of CD(34)(+) cells, as well as the role of gelatinase in leukemia pathogenesis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>CD(34)(+) cells were isolated from umbilical cord blood and normal bone marrow by Mini MACS system. By zymogram analysis, MMP-2 and MMP-9 were detected in the serum free condition medium of CD(34)(+) cells and cell lines.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>One brilliant band with molecular weight of 92 x 10(3) was detected in condition medium of cord blood CD(34)(+) cells. No band was detected in condition medium of bone marrow CD(34)(+) cells. Brilliant bands with molecular weight of 92 x 10(3) and 72 x 10(3) were detected in the condition medium of U937, KG-1a and HL-60 cell lines, but not in that of HEL, Namalva, CEM, K562 and LCL-H cell lines. In the condition media of J6-1 and J6-2 cells only the 92 x 10(3) band was detected.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Cord blood CD(34)(+) cells produced MMP-9, but bone marrow CD(34)(+) cells did not, partly explains the fact that cord blood CD(34)(+) cells possessed higher migrating capacity in comparison with bone marrow CD(34)(+) cells. The expression of MMP-9 and MMP-2 in leukemic cell lines varied.</p>