To understand matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) involvement in Alzheimer's disease, we examined mechanisms mediating increased expression of MMP-9 in the presence of Abeta(1-40) and the role of MMP-9 on amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing. Up-regulation of MMP-9 expressed by SK-N-SH cells in the presence of Abeta(1-40) was mediated by alpha(3)beta(1) and alpha(2)beta(1) integrin receptors. Overexpression of MMP-9 or treatment of HEK/APP695 cells with activated recombinant MMP-9 resulted in enhanced secretion of soluble APP (sAPPalpha), a product of alpha-secretase cleavage, and reduction of Abeta release. MMP-9 effect was enhanced by phorbol 12-mysistrate-13-acetate (PMA), an alpha-secretase activator and inhibited by EDTA or SB-3CT, an MMP-9 inhibitor. Additionally, immunoprecipitation and confocal microscopy demonstrated that MMP-9 and APP695 were associated on the cell surface. These results indicate that Abeta peptide increases MMP-9 secretion through integrins; MMP-9 then directly processes cell surface APP695 with an alpha-secretase like activity, substantially reducing the levels of secreted Abeta peptide.