Matrix metalloproteinases-3, -8, -9 as markers of disease activity and joint damage progression in early rheumatoid arthritis

Ann Rheum Dis. 2003 Nov;62(11):1094-9. doi: 10.1136/ard.62.11.1094.

Abstract

Objective: To analyse the relation between systemic levels of pro-MMP-3, -8, and -9 matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity in alpha(2) macroglobulin (alpha(2)M)/MMP complexes and the progression of joint destruction in patients with recent onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: 109 patients with RA of recent onset were entered into this longitudinal study. Patients were followed up for two years; clinical data, blood samples, and radiographs were obtained at baseline and at 1 and 2 years. Serum levels of MMPs were measured by sandwich ELISA and MMP activity assays.

Results: During the two years joint damage progressed from 0 to 10 (median Sharp score, p<0.001). Stable levels of pro-MMP-3 and a significant decrease in the levels of pro-MMP-8 and -9 and alpha(2)M/MMP complexes were seen throughout the two years. Regression analysis showed that serum pro-MMP-3 levels at disease onset were independently associated with the progression of joint damage (B=0.7, 95% CI 0.3 to 1.1, p=0.001). Based on the rate of joint destruction, patients were divided into two subgroups: patients with mild and severe joint damage progression. The pro-MMP-3 levels were significantly higher in the group with severe compared with mild disease at all times. Levels of pro-MMP-8 and -9 were decreased in both groups, whereas alpha(2)M/MMP complex levels decreased in the group with mild disease only.

Conclusion: Serum levels of the MMPs studied are associated with disease activity, but serum pro-MMP-3 levels at the onset of disease are also predictive of joint damage progression.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / blood*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / pathology
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • C-Reactive Protein / analysis
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Joints / pathology
  • Male
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 / blood
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / blood
  • Matrix Metalloproteinases / blood*
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • Statistics, Nonparametric
  • alpha-Macroglobulins / metabolism

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • alpha-Macroglobulins
  • C-Reactive Protein
  • Matrix Metalloproteinases
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 3
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9