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Markedly Elevated Serum MMP-9 (Gelatinase B) Levels in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Potentially Useful Laboratory Marker

https://doi.org/10.1006/clin.1996.0025Get rights and content

Abstract

In an attempt to find a potentially useful serum marker in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) which reflects underlying pathogenic mechanisms, we measured the circulating levels of matrix-degrading metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), also termed gelatinase B, in sera and synovial fluid (SF) from patients with RA and also quantitated the deposition and local synthesis of MMP-9 in RA synovium. Clinical samples, subjected to gelatin substrate zymography, antigenic immunoassay, and a quantitative substrate degradation assay, revealed elevated 92- and 72-kDa proenzyme forms of MMP-9 and MMP-2 in RA sera and SF compared with healthy controls. Immunostaining on fresh RA synovial specimens revealed MMP-9 within vascular walls in fibroblast-like cells and macrophages; mRNA synthesis was detected using reverse transcriptasein situPCR. In summary, MMP-9 levels are substantially elevated in the sera and SF from patients with RA. The RA synovium is a source of this MMP-9 production, with abundant mRNA and protein observed within several different type of rheumatoid synovial cells.

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To whom correspondence should be addressed at the Department of Medicine, HSC #16-040, SUNY, Stony Brook, NY 11794-8161. Fax: 516-444-3475.

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