We investigated whether betulin affects the gene expression, secretion and proteolytic activity of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) in primary cultured rabbit articular chondrocytes, as well as in vivo production of MMP-3 in the rat knee joint to evaluate the potential chondroprotective effect of betulin. Rabbit articular chondrocytes were cultured and reverse transcription-polymerase chain r...

The semi-synthetic sulfated polysaccharide PPS (pentosan polysulfate) increases affinity between the aggrecan-degrading ADAMTSs (adamalysins with thrombospondin motifs) and their endogenous inhibitor, TIMP (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases)-3. In the present study we demonstrate that PPS mediates the formation of a high-affinity trimolecular complex with ADAMTS-5 and TIMP-3. A TIMP-3 muta...

von Willebrand factor (VWF) is a key player in hemostasis, acting as a carrier for factor VIII and capturing platelets at sites of vascular damage. To capture platelets, it must undergo conformational changes, both within its A1 domain and at the macromolecular level through A2 domain unfolding. Its size and this function are regulated by the metalloproteinase ADAMTS-13. Recently, it has been s...

Members of the ADAMTS (a disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin motifs) family of secreted proteins play important roles in animal development and pathogenesis. However, the lack of in vivo models has hampered elucidation of the mechanisms by which these enzymes are recruited to specific target tissues and the timing of their activation during development. Using transgenic worms an...

BACKGROUND Congenital deficiency of ADAMTS13 is characterized by systemic platelet clumping, hemolytic anemia and multiorgan failure. Although, more than 100 mutations have been reported, atypical clinical presentation may be involved in diagnostic difficulties. CASE REPORT A 2 year old Tunisian child presented with chronic thrombopenic purpura which failed to respond to corticosteroids. Hemo...

The ADAM and ADAMTS families, also called adamalysins belong to an important group of extracellular matrix proteins. The ADAMs family belong to both the transmembrane and secreted proteins, while ADAMTS family only contains secreted forms. Adamalysins play an important role in the cell phenotype regulation via their activities in signaling pathways, cell adhesion and migration. The human proteo...

OBJECTIVE Arthritis is one of the hallmarks of late-stage Lyme disease. Previous studies have shown that infection with Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease, results in degradation of proteoglycans and collagen in cartilage. B burgdorferi do not appear to produce any exported proteases capable of digesting proteoglycans and collagen, but instead, induce and activate host pr...

INTRODUCTION Articular cartilage functions in withstanding mechanical loads and provides a lubricating surface for frictionless movement of joints. Osteoarthritis, characterised by cartilage degeneration, develops due to the progressive erosion of structural integrity and eventual loss of functional performance. Osteoarthritis is a multi-factorial disorder; two important risk factors are abnorm...