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Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) are proteolytic enzymes that play a key role in tissue remodelling during physiological and pathological processes, by initiating the degradation of extracellular matrix. MMP overexpression can lead to tissue destruction which is characteristic of chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and scleritis. Plasma cells are often abundant at such sites of chronic inflammation. In the present study we investigated whether plasma cells could contribute to matrix degradation by their expression of MMP. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemical analyses on diseased synovial and scleral tissue demonstrated the expression of stromelysin‐1 (MMP‐3) and gelatinase B (MMP‐9), but little or no tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP‐1) mRNA, by IgG‐positive plasma cells. Northern blot analysis of RNA extracted from a human plasma cell line (ARH‐77), Epstein …