Integrins, matrix metalloproteinases and osteosarcoma

We are investigating two metastatic mechanisms of osteosarcoma. First, we hypothesize that specific integrins mediate metastatic invasion of tissues, and that loss or overexpression of an integrin receptor therefore alters metastatic potential. Second, osteosarcoma cells alter their expression of matrix metalloproteinases after attachment to extracellular matrix proteins. We hypothesize this feedback loop mechanism influences osteosarcoma metastatic ability. We employ a variety of cellular and molecular methods to investigate our hypotheses.