The overall goal of this proposal is to study cytokine-mediated transcriptional regulation of the collagenase-3 (COLLASE-3 or Matrix Metalloproteinase 13 ([MMP 13]) gene. The COLLASE-3 gene is more specifically expressed in the skeletal system and has an additional cleavage site, which the other MMPs lack. Thus COLLASE-3 may play a more important role in cartilage breakdown, a significant feature in the pathophysiology of rheumatic diseases such a rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. The further understanding of the mechanisms of cartilage destruction that this work will provide may lead to development of novel therapeutic strategies.
Omoigui, Sota (2007) The biochemical origin of pain--proposing a new law of pain: the origin of all pain is inflammation and the inflammatory response. Part 1 of 3--a unifying law of pain. Med Hypotheses 69:70-82 |