Expression of MMP-1 MMP-13 and TlMP-1 mRNA in cartilage and synovium of experimentally induced rabbit ACLT osteoarthritis

Objective To explore the roles of MMP 1,MMP 13 and TIMP 1 in the development of osteoarthritis and to select proper gene for the prophylaxis and treatment research on osteoarthritis,and mRNA expression of the above genes in cartilage and synovium of rabbit ACLT knee osteoasrthritis was determined at different time after ACLT operation.Methods Twenty white rabbits received unilateral anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT),another 10 rabbits received unilateral knee arthrotomy as pseudo operation controls.Ten experimental rabbits were killed at 4 and 8 weeks post surgery respectively,and 10 pseudo operation rabbits were killed at 8 weeks post surgery.Knees were harvested to observe the macro pathologic changes of the femoral condyle.Cartilage at the margine of lesion and synovium nearby were obtained and mRNA expression of MMP 1,MMP 13 and TIMP 1 was detected by RT PCR.Results Cartilage degeneration was obvious at 4 weeks and became more severe at 8 weeks after ACLT operation,while cartilage still remained normal at 8 weeks after pseudo operation.Expression rates of MMP 1 and TIMP 1 in control cartilage and synovium were low,and the rates increased significantly at 4 weeks after ACLT with some positive samples showing increased expression amount.At 8 weeks the rates of MMP 1 still remained high and the amount remained increasing,but the rates of TIMP 1 decreased.MMP 13 was not detectable in control synovium.Its expression rates were low at 4 weeks and increased significantly at 8 weeks after ACLT. The expression rate of MMP 13 was very low in control cartilage,it increased significantly at 4 weeks but decreased at 8 weeks after ACLT.Conclusion MMP 1,MMP 13 and TIMP 1 play an important role in the development of osteoarthritis,especially in its early stage.But only MMP 1 remained highly detectable both at 4 and 8 weeks,and its amount increased with time going,indicating MMP 1 could be a good marker in the prophylaxis and treatment research of osteoarthritis.