TRAP-positive, cathepsin K-positive osteoclast precursor cells are identified in areas of pannus invasion into bone in RA. ODF is expressed by both synovial fibroblasts and by activated T lymphocytes derived from synovial tissues from patients with RA. These synovial cells may contribute directly to the expansion of osteoclast precursors and to the formation and activation of osteoclasts at sites of bone erosion in RA.

Vascular matrix remodeling occurs during development, growth, and several pathological conditions that affect blood vessels. We investigated the capacity of human smooth muscle cells (SMCs) to express matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), enzymes that selectively digest components of the extracellular matrix (ECM), in the basal state or after stimulation with certain cytokines implicated in vascular homeostasis and pathology. Enzymatic activity associated with various proteins secreted in the culture media was detected by gelatin or casein sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis zymography. Proteins were identified by immunoprecipitation and mRNA by Northern blotting. SMCs constitutively secreted a 72-kD gelatinase and the tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs) types 1 and 2. SMCs stimulated with interleukin-1 or tumor necrosis factor-alpha synthesized de novo 92-kD gelatinase, interstitial collagenase, and stromelysin. Several lines of evidence suggest that when stimulated by cytokines, SMCs produce activated forms of MMPs. Together, the constitutive and the cytokine-induced enzymes can digest all the major components of the vascular ECM. Moreover, since these mediators augment the production of MMPs without appreciably affecting the synthesis of TIMPs, locally secreted cytokines may tip the regional balance of MMP activity in favor of vascular matrix degradation.

Pulmonary fibrosis is the common end stage of a number of pneumopathies. In this study, we examined the ability of the human cytokine, relaxin, to block extracellular matrix deposition by human lung fibroblasts in vitro, and to inhibit lung fibrosis in a bleomycin-induced murine model. In vitro, relaxin (1-100 ng/ml) inhibited the transforming growth factor-␤ -mediated over-expression of interstitial collagen types I and III by human lung fibroblasts by up to 45% in a dose-dependent manner. Relaxin did not affect basal levels of collagen expression in the absence of TGF-␤ -induced stimulation. Relaxin also blocked transforming growth factor-␤ -induced upregulation of fibronectin by 80% at the highest relaxin dose tested (100 ng/ml). The expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1, or procollagenase, was stimulated in a biphasic, dose-dependent manner by relaxin. In vivo, relaxin, at a steady state circulating concentration of ‫ف‬ 50 ng/ml, inhibited bleomycin-mediated alveolar thickening compared with the vehicle only control group ( P Ͻ 0.05). Relaxin also restored bleomycin-induced collagen accumulation, as measured by lung hydroxyproline content, to normal levels ( P Ͻ 0.05). In summary, relaxin induced a matrix degradative phenotype in human lung fibroblasts in vitro and inhibited bleomycin-induced fibrosis in a murine model in vivo. These data indicate that relaxin may be efficacious in the treatment of pathologies characterized by lung fibrosis. ( J. Clin. Invest. 1996. 98:2739-2745)

Human atheromas accumulate extracellular matrix proteins such as collagen types I and III. We tested whether cytokines or growth factors produced by cells found in human atherosclerotic plaques alter collagen gene expression in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), which produce the blood vessel matrix. Interleukin-l (IL-1, 1-10 ng/ml) modestly increased the synthesis of collagens I and III (measured by tritiated proline incorporation into specific electrophoretic bands), whereas transforming growth factor-^ (TGF-/3) or platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) markedly stimulated production of these interstitial collagens. Interferon y (IFN-y)

Human peripheral blood monocytes have high affinity binding sites for 1,25-(OH)2D3 (Kd 0.14 nM, sedimentation coefficient 3.7S). Resting human peripheral blood T lymphocytes, however, do not have a demonstrable 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptor. After activation with phytohemagglutinin the T cells exhibit the receptor within 24 h, and this expression is blocked by cycloheximide. The receptor in activated T lymphocytes has a sedimentation coefficient of 3.7S and a high affinity (Kd 0.10 nM) for the ligand.