β-catenin translocates to the nucleus where it binds to transcription factors of the T cell factor/lymphocyte enhancer factor (TCF/LEF) family and initiates transcription of target genes such as cyclin D1, c-myc and MMP-7[31, 32] involved in proliferation, tumor invasion and metastasis.[33, 34] Our findings suggest that the signalling pathways through which macrophages induce β-catenin also induce the expression of target genes. This evidence concerns the gene MMP7 and neoplasm.