title: Serum MMP-3 in rheumatoid arthritis: correlation with systemic inflammation but not with erosive status.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Metalloproteinases (MMP) play an important role in the remodelling of the extracellular matrix. However, evidence that they are responsible for tissue damage in pathological situations remains circumstantial. Stromelysin (MMP-3) production is increased in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and has been proposed as a marker of joint damage. The relevance of serum levels of MMP-3 to erosions in RA was studied.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-three patients with active RA of > 5 yr duration and with available X-rays were stratified according to disease duration. Hand X-rays were scored for erosions. Patients were then classified into upper and lower quartiles. Serum MMP-3 levels were compared between these two groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant differences in serum MMP-3 were seen between high and low eroders. A statistically significant correlation was observed between sMMP-3 and erthyrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serum MMP-3 is not an independent marker of joint damage, but is correlated with systemic inflammation. Its precise role in joint damage in RA remains to be elucidated.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Service, University Hospital of Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: So
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Chamot
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Péclat
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Gerster
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology; D007596:Joints / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3