Characterisation of the cell type-specificity of collagenase 3 mRNA expression in comparison with membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase and gelatinase A in the synovial membrane in rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE To study the pattern and cell type-specificity of collagenase 3, membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP), and gelatinase A mRNA expression in the synovial membrane in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS The mRNA expression of collagenase 3, MT1-MMP, and gelatinase A was characterised by northern blot analysis, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, and in situ hybridisation. In situ hybridisation was performed in combination with the immunohistochemical detection of cell type-specific antigens. RESULTS Synovial membrane specimens from 19 of 21 patients with RA expressing collagenase 3 mRNA were positive for MT1-MMP and gelatinase A mRNA. In control samples from patients without destructive inflammatory joint diseases collagenase 3 mRNA was not expressed and only in two of seven cases was a coexpression of MT1-MMP and gelatinase A mRNA detected. Fibroblast-like cells of the synovial membrane were found to be the predominant source of collagenase 3, MT1-MMP, and gelatinase A mRNA expression in lining and sublining layers as well as at the synovial membrane-cartilage interface. Additionally, the expression of MT1-MMP mRNA was detected in endothelial cells. Collagenase 3 mRNA expression was found in about 5% of CD68 positive macrophages. CONCLUSIONS Collagenase 3 mRNA is expressed simultaneously with MT1-MMP and gelatinase A mRNA in fibroblast-like cells of the synovial membrane in RA. These results suggest (a) a broad extracellular proteolytic potential of fibroblast-like cells and (b) an important role of cell surface associated procollagenase 3 activation by MT1-MMP and gelatinase A for cartilage degradation by invading fibroblast-like cells.