Jones Gavin C, Riley Graham P, Buttle David J
Biomedical Research Centre, University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk NR4 7TJ, UK.
Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 2008;40(6-7):1199-218. doi: 10.1016/j.biocel.2008.01.024. Epub 2008 Feb 1.
Synovial (diarthrodial) joints are employed within the body to provide skeletal mobility and have a characteristic structure adapted to provide a smooth almost frictionless surface for articulation. Pathologies of the synovial joint are an important cause of patient morbidity and can affect each of the constituent tissues. A common feature of these pathologies is degenerative changes in the structure of the tissue which is mediated, at least in part, by proteolytic activity. Most tissues of the synovial joint are composed primarily of extracellular matrix and key pathological roles in the degeneration of this matrix are performed by metalloproteinases such as matrix metallproteinases (MMPs) and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS). However, other proteases such as cathepsin K are likely to play an important role, especially in bone turnover. In addition to the cleavage of structural proteins, proteolytic activities are employed to regulate the activity of other proteases, growth factors, cytokines and other inflammatory mediators. Proteases combine to form complex regulatory networks, the correct functioning of which is required for tissue homeostasis and the imbalance of which may be a feature of pathology. A precise understanding of the proteases involved in these networks is required for a true understanding of the associated pathology.
滑膜（动关节）在体内用于提供骨骼运动能力，具有适应提供光滑几乎无摩擦表面以供关节活动的特征性结构。滑膜关节疾病是患者发病的重要原因，可影响其每个组成组织。这些疾病的一个共同特征是组织结构的退行性变化，这至少部分是由蛋白水解活性介导的。滑膜关节的大多数组织主要由细胞外基质组成，基质金属蛋白酶（MMPs）和具有血小板反应蛋白基序的解聚素和金属蛋白酶（ADAMTS）等金属蛋白酶在该基质的退变中发挥关键病理作用。然而，其他蛋白酶如组织蛋白酶K可能也起重要作用，尤其是在骨转换方面。除了切割结构蛋白外，蛋白水解活性还用于调节其他蛋白酶、生长因子、细胞因子和其他炎症介质的活性。蛋白酶组合形成复杂的调节网络，其正常运作对于组织稳态是必需的，而其失衡可能是病理特征。要真正理解相关病理，需要精确了解这些网络中涉及的蛋白酶。
