[Proteolytic enzymes and the destruction of articular cartilage in arthritis and chronic polyarthritis]

The extracellular matrix (ECM) of articular cartilage is subject to a steady remodelling process. The collagenous components of the ECM are characterized by a very low rate of metabolism, whereas the proteoglycans exhibit an active turnover. The main proteolytic enzymes degrading the ECM components are collagenase, gelatinase and stromelysin. These enzymes undergo under pathological circumstances a remarkable enhancement of synthesis and activity. Although each of these enzymes appears to degrade one ECM component specifically, there is evidence for synergistic effects of most of them. Gelatinase acts synergistically with collagenase in degrading insoluble interstitial collagens and stromelysin activates collagenase. Thus a cascade mechanism may exist in which the cartilage-ECM is completely degraded. Yet, it is not crucial which part of the ECM (collagens or proteoglycans) is primarily degraded. The integrity of the ECM rather depends on the balance between anabolic and catabolic processes, the upset of which results in damage of the articular cartilage. Cartilage destruction in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis is considered to be a result of this imbalance in favour of the catabolic processes. This would lead to a decrease in proteoglycans which causes fibronectin deposition in the cartilage ECM. Due to chemotaxic effects of fibronectin on fibroblasts, the enrichment of this glycoprotein in the ECM gives rise to cartilage fibrosis and early degeneration.