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Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are extracellular enzymes. Some of them are known to be involved in tumor development and/or progression. Several cellular functions have been proposed for MMPs during malignant processes. Notably, they may be involved in tissue-remodeling processes through their ability to digest matrix components or to participate in tumor neoangiogenesis and, subsequently, in cancer cell proliferation. One of these MMPs, stromelysin-3 (ST3/MMP11), although devoid of enzymatic activity against the matrix components, is associated with human tumor progression and poor patient clinical outcome. Using several in vivo experimental models, it has been demonstrated that ST3 expression by the fibroblastic cells surrounding malignant epithelial cells promotes tumorigenesis in a paracrine manner. The present study was devoted to the identification of the cellular function underlying …