Significance of MMP9 and BRMS1 in metastasis and invasion of breast cancer stem cells

To investigate the significance of metastasis and invasion of MMP-9 and BRMS1 in breast cancer stem cells. The tissues from 65 breast cancer patients were divided into two groups, with and without lymph node metastasis, the CD44+CD24and Non-CD44+CD24- cells were separated from MCF-7 by immunomagnetic beads. ALDH1 and mRNA levels were measured by RT-PCR in different groups. The ability of metastasis and invasion in different group cells were detected by Transwell. MMP9-BRMS1 and ALDH1 were detected in different groups by immunnohistochemical staining. The level of ALDH1 mRNA in CD44+CD24- group was higher than other groups. More cells in CD44+CD24- group through the membranes than other two groups. Western blot showed that MMP9 and ALDH1 levels in CD44+CD24- group were higher than Non-CD44+CD24- cells but BRMS1 was lower (P<;0.05). MMP9 and ALDH1 expressions were higher in breast cancer tissues with lymph nodes metastasis than those without; while BRMS1 expression was lower in breast cancer tissues with lymph nodes metastasis. The expression of ALDH1 was positively correlated with that of MMP-9 and negatively with that of BRMS1 (P<;0.05). MMP-9 and BRMS1 play an important role in the metastasis and invasion of breast cancer stem cells.