Differential in vivo expression of collagenase messenger RNA in synovium and cartilage. Quantitative comparison with stromelysin messenger RNA levels in human rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis patients and in two animal models of acute inflammatory arthritis.
OBJECTIVE
To compare quantitatively the in vivo expression of collagenase messenger RNA (mRNA) and stromelysin mRNA in the joint tissues of human osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and in two animal models of acute inflammatory arthritis.


METHODS
In vivo levels of metalloproteinase mRNA and protein were determined by quantitative Northern hybridization and by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively.


RESULTS
In synovium, mean levels of collagenase mRNA were similar to those of stromelysin mRNA; however, in cartilage, mean levels of collagenase mRNA were significantly lower. The ratios of collagenase mRNA to stromelysin mRNA levels in RA and OA cartilage reflected similar ratios of collagenase protein to stromelysin protein levels in synovial fluid.


CONCLUSIONS
The regulation of collagenase mRNA expression in cartilage is distinct from that of stromelysin, suggesting distinct roles for these two metallo-proteinases in normal and abnormal physiologic functioning of cartilage.
Wolfe
G C
GC
Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Merck Research Laboratories, Rahway, NJ 07065.
MacNaul
K L
KL
Buechel
F F
FF
McDonnell
J
J
Hoerrner
L A
LA
Lark
M W
MW
Moore
V L
VL
Hutchinson
N I
NI
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000378:metabolism; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D017364:Collagenases / Q000235:genetics*; D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned / Q000494:pharmacology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004285:Dogs; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D009000:Monocytes; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D011817:Rabbits; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000737:chemistry; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology*
D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D007375:Interleukin-1; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D017364:Collagenases; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3