Regulating the Transcription and Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9(MMP9) and the Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP1) with Stat3

Gene Stat3 was overexpressed in NIH3T3 cells by lipofection transfection,and the effect of Stat3 on the expression of MMP9 and its inhibitor TIMP1 was estimated by RT-PCR,Western Blot and Luciferase Assay. The results show that Stat3 is able to upregulate the transcription and expression of MMP9 and TIMP1 by enhancing their promoter activities and the enhancement of TIMP1 expression induced by Stat3 is stronger than MMP9. It suggests that overexpression of Stat3 may inhibit the degradation of ECM in NIH3T3 cells and promote the development of fibrosis.