To clarify whether gelatinases in the synovial fluid are related to rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Gelatinases in the synovial fluid of patients with RA were analyzed by gelatin zymography.
We classified patients into 3 distinct groups based on the gelatinases present. Although inactive gelatinase A was found in the synovial fluid of all patients with RA, the presence of gelatinase B varied: group I contained none, group II contained inactive gelatinase B, and group III contained active gelatinase B. The presence of gelatinase B was positively correlated with the polymorphonuclear (PMN) elastase content of the synovial fluid. Furthermore, the presence of activated gelatinase B correlated well with the stromelysin-1 content. Conversely, large amounts of the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) were found in the synovial fluid of patients in group II.
The appearance and form of gelatinase B may reflect the inflammatory condition of patients with RA.