TIMP-1 is elevated in the stroma of more aggressive human colon cancer and TIMP-1 promotes growth of human colon cancers in vivo.

<p><b>A</b>. Representative images show that TIMP-1 level is elevated in the stroma of colon cancer (n=6, top middle and bottom panels) comparing to that of normal colon (n=6, top left panel). Stroma of undifferentiated/higher grade colon cancer (n=6, the top middle panel, Z4250) and metastatic colon cancers (n=6, bottom middle and bottom right panels, Z4250 and 4081525) displayed higher levels of the stroma associated TIMP-1 comparing to that of differentiated/lower grade colon cancer (bottom left, Z4265), primary colon cancer (top middle panel), or the normal counterparts (normal colon, top left; normal liver, top right panel). Bar, 100 µm. <b>B</b>. Western blot analyses using anti-v5 antibody (Invitrogen) were performed to assess expression of exogenous v5-epitope tagged TIMP-1 (TIMP-1v5) in HCT116 (left panel) and HT-29 (right panel) human colon cancer cells. <b>C</b>-<b>D</b>. TIMP-1 promotes HCT116 and HT-29 colon cancer growth <i>in </i><i>vivo</i>. Weights of the tumors derived from HCT116 and HT-29 colon cancer cells expressing TIMP-1v5 or infected with the empty expression constructs (controls) were measured 6 weeks after the subcutaneous implantation of the cancer cells. n=6. ^*<i>p</i><0.05.