| Summary: | 碩士 === 國立陽明大學 === 解剖暨細胞生物學研究所 === 95 === Cartilage is composed of water, chondrocytes and their self-produced extracellular matrix (ECM). The cartilage covers the bones of the joint to protect the bones, supplying smooth surfaces for the movement. The most common disease affecting the cartilage is arthritis. The cartilage in the joint is degraded, resulting in limited movement and pain. The prevalence of Arthritis in the world is around 6% (18% in Taiwan) and is mainly caused by aging, genes and inflammation. The most significant pathological symptom is ECM decomposition.
Matrix-metalloproteases (MMPs) are a major family of protease in the joint that can degrade protein in the ECM. From the previous study, in the joint cavity of arthritis patients, the MMP-1, MMP-3 and MMP-13 expression are increased. These three types of MMP are associated with the ECM degradation. In my research, we focus on MMP-3 expression and compare the four different types of tissue in the arthritis patient’s joint; normal cartilage, islet cartilage, synovial plica and pannus-like tissue. MMP-3 is expressed in the ECM of these tissues and the cells located at the plica and pannus express MMP-3, especially in the plica. The plica can secrete large amounts of MMP-3. So, it may play an important role in arthritis. MMP-3 can get into the joint cavity through diffusion and cause ECM decomposition. In the clinic, we can inhibit MMP-3 expression that may be able to stop the ECM degradation and postpone arthritis.
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