title: Degradative enzyme systems in cartilage.
abstract: There appears to be a final common pathway in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis, regardless of the initiating cause. This involves an increase in degradative enzymes that arise from the cartilage. Both proteoglycan- and collagen-degrading enzymes, active at a neutral pH, increase in proportion to the severity of the arthritis until a final end-stage state is reached. This increase in enzyme activity may be triggered by release of a synovial messenger protein similar to interleukin-1. It is suggested by studies in an animal model that inhibition of these enzymes could lead to treatment of osteoarthritis.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000201:enzymology*; D002402:Cathepsin D / Q000378:metabolism; D010450:Endopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; D003012:Microbial Collagenase / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000201:enzymology*; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000201:enzymology
chemical_list: D007375:Interleukin-1; D010450:Endopeptidases; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases; C022474:proteoglycan-degrading metalloendopeptidases; D002402:Cathepsin D; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; D003012:Microbial Collagenase