ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To investigate a possible role of CD147 in the production of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) by fibroblasts and the invasion of melanoma cells.@*METHODS@#We cocultured CD147-expression melanoma cells with fibroblasts and examined the MMP-9 expression of fibroblasts by zymography and the invasion of melanoma cells by transwell invasion assay.@*RESULTS@#MMP-9 expression was enhanced in conditioned media, while cocultured with melanoma cells in a dose-dependent manner, and CD147 antibody inhibited the production of MMP-9 in the fibroblasts. When fibroblasts were cultured at the bottom of the lower compartment of transwell invasion model, the number of melanoma cells that invaded significantly increased. Addition of anti-CD147 antibody to the upper compartment transwell invasion model resulted in the significant inhibition of the melanoma cell invasion in reconstituted basement membrane.@*CONCLUSION@#CD147 expressed in melanoma cells plays an important role in the melanoma cell invasion by stimulating the production of MMP-9 by fibroblasts.