Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:3.4.24.17 (MMP-3)
 3,419 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The mechanism of joint destruction in rapidly destructive coxopathy was studied by analyzing bone resorptive factors in the joint fluid. Prostaglandins were found to play a partial role in joint destruction. Some cases of rapidly destructive coxopathy revealed elevated levels of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) in the joint fluid. Electrophoretic analysis of proteolytic enzymes in polyacrylamide gel containing sodium dodecyl sulfate and copolymerized gelatin demonstrated that the resorptively active peptides have relative molecular weights (M(r)) of approximately 92,000, 72,000, and lower than 60,000. Cultured cells from synovia obtained perioperatively secreted matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) with an M(r) of 72,000 and matrix metalloproteinase 3(MMP-3) with an M(r) of 57,000. Synovial cells from the patients with coxarthrosis secreted fewer proteolytic enzymes. Prostaglandins, IL-1 beta, MMP-2, and MMP-3 could act synergetically as promotors in the rapid destruction of the hip joint.
 ...
PMID:Rapidly destructive arthropathy of the hip. Studies on bone resorptive factors in joint fluid with a theory of pathogenesis. 139 5

Articular cartilage is optimised for bearing mechanical loads. Chondrocytes are the only cells present in mature cartilage and are responsible for the synthesis and integrity of the extracellular matrix. Appropriate joint loads stimulate chondrocytes to maintain healthy cartilage with a concrete protein composition according to loading demands. In contrast, inappropriate loads alter the composition of cartilage, leading to osteoarthritis (OA). Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in degradation of cartilage matrix components and have been implicated in OA, but their role in loading response is unclear. With this study, we aimed to elucidate the role of MMP-1 and MMP-3 in cartilage composition in response to mechanical load and to analyse the differences in aggrecan and type II collagen content in articular cartilage from maximum- and minimum-weight-bearing regions of human healthy and OA hips. In parallel, we analyse the apoptosis of chondrocytes in maximal and minimal load areas. Because human femoral heads are subjected to different loads at defined sites, both areas were obtained from the same hip and subsequently evaluated for differences in aggrecan, type II collagen, MMP-1, and MMP-3 content (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and gene expression (real-time polymerase chain reaction) and for chondrocyte apoptosis (flow cytometry, bcl-2 Western blot, and mitochondrial membrane potential analysis). The results showed that the load reduced the MMP-1 and MMP-3 synthesis (p < 0.05) in healthy but not in OA cartilage. No significant differences between pressure areas were found for aggrecan and type II collagen gene expression levels. However, a trend toward significance, in the aggrecan/collagen II ratio, was found for healthy hips (p = 0.057) upon comparison of pressure areas (loaded areas > non-loaded areas). Moreover, compared with normal cartilage, OA cartilage showed a 10- to 20-fold lower ratio of aggrecan to type II collagen, suggesting that the balance between the major structural proteins is crucial to the integrity and function of the tissue. Alternatively, no differences in apoptosis levels between loading areas were found--evidence that mechanical load regulates cartilage matrix composition but does not affect chondrocyte viability. The results suggest that MMPs play a key role in regulating the balance of structural proteins of the articular cartilage matrix according to local mechanical demands.
 ...
PMID:Decreased metalloproteinase production as a response to mechanical pressure in human cartilage: a mechanism for homeostatic regulation. 1697 94