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MMPs and rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts: Siamese twins in joint destruction?
  1. U Müller-Ladner1,
  2. S Gay2
  1. 1Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Regensburg, Germany
  2. 2Center for Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Zürich, Switzerland
  1. Correspondence to:
    Dr U Müller-Ladner, Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Regensburg, D-93042 Regensburg, Germany;
    ulf.mueller-ladner{at}klinik.uni-r.de

https://doi.org/10.1136/ard.61.11.957

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    MMPs and RA-SF act together in matrix degradation; targeting one will provide details about the other

    In this issue of the Annals, Tolboom and coworkers present functional data on the intensive invasive potential of rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts (RA-SF) into matrix as well as a direct correlation of this destructive property with distinct members of the large matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family.1

    Key findings of this study include (a) demonstration of the higher and disease-specific ability of RA-SF—in comparison with other synovial fibroblasts—to grow through artificial matrix; (b) demonstration of a lack of correlation between invasive growth and the rate of fibroblast proliferation; (c) the dominant role of MMP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-10 in this model of a joint destructive process; and (d) the finding of an association between members of the MMP family—namely, MMP-1 and MMP-9, with the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Basic as well as clinical rheumatologists may feel that the results of the study could have a direct impact on future developments in diagnosis and treatment of RA but also feel the need to discuss a number of questions arising from these interesting data.

    EVALUATION OF HUMAN RA JOINT DESTRUCTION: HOW CLOSE ARE WE TO “THE” EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH?

    Unfortunately, nature provides only the human being as a potential “model” for a number of rheumatic diseases, especially for RA. Therefore, the various animal models used in basic science, including antigen-induced as well as mutation-, knockin-, and knockout-induced arthritides, always have the disadvantage of a certain experimental and clinical distance from human disease. On the other hand, all “humanoid” experimental settings have failed to resemble a whole joint completely, leaving each of these approaches with its individual shortcomings. In the present approach,1 which examines the invasiveness of RA-SF into an artificial matrix (Matrigel) consisting predominantly of collagen type IV, the authors deal specifically with this problem. They note and balance the advantage …

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