PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - P K Petrow
AU  - D Wernicke
AU  - C Schulze Westhoff
AU  - K M Hummel
AU  - R Bräuer
AU  - J Kriegsmann
AU  - E Gromnica-Ihle
AU  - R E Gay
AU  - S Gay
TI  - Characterisation of the cell type-specificity of collagenase 3 mRNA expression in comparison with membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase and gelatinase A in the synovial membrane in rheumatoid arthritis
AID  - 10.1136/ard.61.5.391
DP  - 2002 May 01
TA  - Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
PG  - 391--397
VI  - 61
IP  - 5
4099  - http://ard.bmj.com/content/61/5/391.short
4100  - http://ard.bmj.com/content/61/5/391.full
SO  - Ann Rheum Dis2002 May 01; 61
AB  - Objective: To study the pattern and cell type-specificity of collagenase 3, membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP), and gelatinase A mRNA expression in the synovial membrane in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: The mRNA expression of collagenase 3, MT1-MMP, and gelatinase A was characterised by northern blot analysis, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, and in situ hybridisation. In situ hybridisation was performed in combination with the immunohistochemical detection of cell type-specific antigens. Results: Synovial membrane specimens from 19 of 21 patients with RA expressing collagenase 3 mRNA were positive for MT1-MMP and gelatinase A mRNA. In control samples from patients without destructive inflammatory joint diseases collagenase 3 mRNA was not expressed and only in two of seven cases was a coexpression of MT1-MMP and gelatinase A mRNA detected. Fibroblast-like cells of the synovial membrane were found to be the predominant source of collagenase 3, MT1-MMP, and gelatinase A mRNA expression in lining and sublining layers as well as at the synovial membrane-cartilage interface. Additionally, the expression of MT1-MMP mRNA was detected in endothelial cells. Collagenase 3 mRNA expression was found in about 5% of CD68 positive macrophages. Conclusions: Collagenase 3 mRNA is expressed simultaneously with MT1-MMP and gelatinase A mRNA in fibroblast-like cells of the synovial membrane in RA. These results suggest (a) a broad extracellular proteolytic potential of fibroblast-like cells and (b) an important role of cell surface associated procollagenase 3 activation by MT1-MMP and gelatinase A for cartilage degradation by invading fibroblast-like cells.