Tumor vasculature is derived from sprouting of local vessels (angiogenesis) and bone marrow (BM)-derived circulating cells (vasculogenesis). By using a model system of transplanting tumors into an irradiated normal tissue to prevent angiogenesis, we found that tumors were unable to grow in matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) knockout mice, but tumor growth could be restored by transplantation of wild-type BM. Endothelial progenitor cells did not contribute significantly to this process. Rather, CD11b-positive myelomonocytic cells from the transplanted BM were responsible for tumor growth and the development of immature blood vessels in MMP-9 knockout mice receiving wild-type BM. Our results suggest that MMP-9 could be an important target for adjunct therapy to enhance the response of tumors to radiotherapy.
