Abstract 5115: Engineered TIMP-1 for selective MMP-9 inhibition: A novel strategy to suppress breast cancer invasiveness
Authors: Alireza Shoari, Alexandra Hockla, Mathew A. Coban, Alexandra M. Dimesa, Derek C. Radisky, Evette S. Radisky
Journal: Cancer Research (2025)

Abstract Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are endogenous inhibitors that regulate the function and activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), enzymes that are known for their involvement in cancer progression. MMP-9, also known as gelatinase B, plays a crucial role in tumorigenesis of several cancers including triple negative breast cancer (TNBC); tumor cell-produced MMP-9 promotes malignant progression and metastasis of basal-like TNBC. Here, we have used full-length TIMP-1 as a scaffold for engineering inhibitors that bind with higher selectivity to MMP-9, for potential therapeutic applications. We previously developed a yeast surface display library of human TIMP-1, with diversity incorporated at 17 residues within five loops; mutation burden was tuned to 3-5 mutations per clone. Here, we have screened the TIMP-1 library for affinity toward recombinant MMP-9 by using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Yeast cells were incubated with an incrementally decreasing concentration of biotinylated MMP-9 (400 nM to 25 nM) in successive rounds of sorting. Samples were analyzed using flow cytometry and highest affinity populations were selected using FACS. Among the TIMP-1 variants with highest enrichment, we identified the TIMP-1-C15 variant that showed 12-fold enhanced binding with improved selectivity toward MMP-9 compared with wild type TIMP-1 (WT TIMP-1). We next expressed and purified soluble recombinant TIMP-1-C15 and conducted inhibition studies using a fluorogenic substrate to evaluate inhibitory potency towards MMP-9 activity. These experiments showed that TIMP-1-C15 inhibits MMP-9 activity with an inhibition constant (Ki) of 0.61 nM, more than 5-fold stronger than WT TIMP-1; these studies also corroborated the improved selectivity towards MMP-9 over other MMPs. Additionally, we further evaluated the functional impact of the TIMP-1-C15 variant on cancer cell invasiveness using TNBC cell lines in cellular invasion assays. The TIMP-1-C15 variant markedly reduced the invasive capabilities of TNBC cells to a greater extent than WT TIMP-1. Currently, we are working to isolate additional TIMP-1 variants from our library that exhibit enhanced selectivity for MMP-9, with MMP-8 included in the sorting process as a competitive target to ensure specificity. Selective inhibition of MMP-9 over MMP-8 is particularly important in breast cancer therapy, as MMP-8 has been shown to have anti-tumorigenic properties, and its inhibition could counteract therapeutic efforts aimed at reducing cancer invasiveness. Our findings suggest that engineered TIMP-1 variants could serve as potent inhibitors of MMP-9, offering a novel approach to reducing the invasiveness of breast cancer cells and potentially limiting the progression of metastatic disease. Citation Format: Alireza Shoari, Alexandra Hockla, Mathew A. Coban, Alexandra M. Dimesa, Derek C. Radisky, Evette S. Radisky. Engineered TIMP-1 for selective MMP-9 inhibition: A novel strategy to suppress breast cancer invasiveness [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2025; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2025 Apr 25-30; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2025;85(8_Suppl_1):Abstract nr 5115.