Matrix metalloproteinase-13 expression in rabbit knee joint connective tissues: influence of maturation and response to injury.

Abstract

The hypothesis of the present work was that expression of matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13, collagenase-3) would be induced during conditions involving important matrix remodeling such as ligament maturation, scar healing and joint instability. Therefore, MMP-13 expression in the medial collateral ligament (MCL) during the variable situations of tissue maturation and healing was assessed. MMP-13 expression in three intra-articular connective tissues of the knee (i.e. articular cartilage, menisci and synovium) following the transection of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee was evaluated at 3 and 8 weeks post-injury. MMP-13 mRNA (semi-quantitative RT-PCR) and protein (immunohistochemistry and Western blotting) were detected in all of the tissues studied. Significantly higher MCL mRNA levels for MMP-13 were detected during the early phases of tissue maturation (i.e. 29 days in utero and 2-month-old rabbits) compared to later phases (5- and 12-month-old rabbits). This pattern of expression was recapitulated following MCL injury, with very high levels of expression in scar tissue at 3 weeks post-injury and then a decline to levels not significantly different from control values by 14 weeks. Elevated mRNA levels correlated with increased protein levels for MMP-13 in both menisci and synovium following the transection of the anterior cruciate ligament and during medial collateral ligament healing. These results indicate that MMP-13 expression is regulated by a number of variables and that high levels of expression occur in situations when connective tissue remodeling is very active.

• Authors: M P Hellio Le Graverand, J Eggerer, P Sciore, C Reno, E Vignon, I Otterness, D A Hart
• Journal: Matrix biology : journal of the International Society for Matrix Biology (Matrix Biol) Vol. 19 Issue 5 Pg. 431-41 (Sep 2000) ISSN: 0945-053X [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 10980419 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• DNA Primers
• RNA, Messenger
• Collagen
• Collagenases
• Matrix Metalloproteinase 13

Topics

• Animals
• Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries
• Base Sequence
• Cartilage, Articular (enzymology)
• Collagen (metabolism)
• Collagenases (genetics, metabolism)
• Connective Tissue (enzymology, growth & development, injuries)
• DNA Primers (genetics)
• Female
• Gene Expression
• Knee Injuries (enzymology, genetics)
• Knee Joint (enzymology, growth & development)
• Matrix Metalloproteinase 13
• Medial Collateral Ligament, Knee (enzymology, growth & development, injuries)
• Menisci, Tibial (enzymology)
• RNA, Messenger (genetics, metabolism)
• Rabbits
• Synovial Membrane (enzymology)
• Wound Healing (genetics, physiology)