The expression and significance of MMP3 in synovium of knee joint of different stage in osteoarthritis patients

Objective To investigate the expression and significance of MMP-3 in knee joint synovium of different stage in osteoarthritis(OA) patients. Methods MMP-3 protein were detected by immunohistochemical method in knee synovial tissues from 90 OA patients(the OA group) and OA group was divided into 3 subgroups according to Kellgren and LawrenceX-ray diagnosing standards: the grade Ⅰ(n=30), grade Ⅱ(n=30) and grade Ⅲ subgroups(n=30). 30 patients were enrolled as control group. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of MMP-3 protein in the tissue. Results The expression level of MMP-3 protein in OA group was significantly higher that in the normal synovium(P0.05). There existed significant difference in the expression of MMP-3 protein between the grade Ⅲ subgroup and the gradeⅠ, or Ⅱsubgroups(P0.05). The expression of MMP-3 protein related positively to the severity of OA(r=0.912, P0.05). Conclusion The expression of MMP-3 protein related closely to the pathogenic mechanism of OA. It may serve as an important indicator of early diagnosis and the activity of OA.