The stimulation of collagenase production in rabbit articular chondrocytes by interleukin-1 is increased by collagens

Osteoarthritis is characterized by a loss of articular cartilage due at least in part to the action of degradative enzymes secreted by chondrocytes. We have investigated the effect of type II collagen from cartilage and interleukin 1 on collagenase production in cultures of rabbit articular chondrocytes. Interleukin 1 alone stimulated the chondrocytes to secrete collagenase but this response was increased as much as fivefold by the addition of rabbit type II collagen. Bovine type II and chick type I collagens were also stimulatory. The native form of the collagens was not required since denatured collagens and purified chick type II alpha chains were effective. The observed effects of collagens and interleukin 1 may contribute to the progressive nature of osteoarthritis.     

The gelatinolytic activity of rat uterus collagenase

The collagenase produced by rat uterine cells in culture has been examined for its ability to degrade denatured collagen. Acting as a gelatinase, rat uterus collagenase was able to successfully degrade the denatured chains of collagen types I through V. In addition, the enzyme produced multiple cleavages in these chains and displayed values for Km of 4-5 microM, compared to values of 1-2 microM when native collagen was used as substrate. Furthermore, rat uterus collagenase degraded the alpha 2 chain of denatured type I collagen at a significantly faster rate than the alpha 1 chain, as previously observed for human skin fibroblast collagenase. In contrast to the action of human skin collagenase, however, the rat uterus enzyme was found to be a markedly better gelatinase than a collagenase, degrading the alpha chains of denatured type I guinea pig skin collagen at rates some 7-15-fold greater than native collagen. Human skin collagenase degrades the same denatured chains at rates ranging from 13-44% of its rate on native collagen. Rat uterus collagenase, then, is approximately 50 times better a gelatinase than is human skin collagenase. In addition to its ability to cleave denatured collagen chains at greater rates than native collagen, the rat uterus collagenase also attacked a wider spectrum of peptide bonds in gelatin than does human skin collagenase. In addition to cleaving the Gly-Leu and Gly-Ile bonds characteristic of its action on native collagen, rat uterus collagenase readily catalyzed the cleavage of Gly-Phe bonds in gelatin. The rat enzyme was also capable of cleaving Gly-Ala and Gly-Val bonds, although these bonds were somewhat less preferred by the enzyme. The cleavage of peptide bonds other than Gly-Leu and Gly-Ile appears to be a property of the collagenase itself and not a contaminating protease. Thus, it appears that the collagenase responsible for the degradation of collagen during the massive involution of the uterus might also act as a gelatinase to further degrade the initial products of collagenolysis to small peptides suitable for further metabolism.     

Studies on the activation energy and deuterium isotope effect of human skin collagenase on homologous collagen substrates

The activation energy (EA) and solvent-deuterium kinetic isotope effect (kH/kD) of human skin fibroblast collagenase were studied on the homologous human type I, II, and III collagens in both native and denatured states. Values for EA on human type I and II collagens in solution were 47,000 and 61,000 cal, respectively. The Arrhenius plot for type III collagen, unlike that for the other types, was characterized by a break in EA at approximately 26 degrees C. At temperatures below this point, EA was 42,500 cal; at higher temperatures, EA fell to 29,500 cal. This latter value, intermediate between type I collagen monomers and denatured random gelatin alpha chains, appears to result from a further opening in the already loosened helix of the type III collagen molecule in the region of the 3/4:1/4 collagenase cleavage site. The EA of trypsin on native human type III collagen was also measured and found to be 70,000 cal. This high value calls into question the role of serine proteases in the physiologic degradation of this substrate; a much higher energy expenditure was required for trypsin to cleave type III collagen than for the fibroblast collagenase. Reaction velocity on human collagen types I-III in solution was slowed 15-35% (kH/kD = 1.2-1.5) by the substitution of deuterium for hydrogen in the solvent buffer. This value was far lower than that observed following the aggregation of solution monomers into insoluble fibrils (kH/kD = 9). Denaturation of triple helical monomers into random gelatin alpha chains eliminated any slowing by deuterium, and kH/kD was 1.0 in all cases. Since the same peptide bond hydrolysis accompanies the cleavage of all these forms of the collagen substrate, it would appear that the role of water at the rate-limiting step of collagen degradation may not reside in the hydrolysis of a peptide bond per se, but rather may reflect the difficulty in transporting water molecules to the site of such catalysis, especially following fibril aggregation.     

Immunoglobulin G-induced experimental chronic immune synovitis: cell-mediated immunity to native interstitial collagen molecules and their constituent polypeptide chains

In vitro cell-mediated immune responses to homologous rabbit immunoglobulin G (IgG), purified protein derivative (PPD), native Type I, II, and III collagen, and denatured Type I, II, and III collagen were studied in an IgG-induced animal model of immune synovitis. Immune response was measured as augmented [3H]thymidine incorporation by spleen cells on exposure to antigen. Immune responses were observed in vitro after 72 hr of culture with antigen, while a majority of responses to antigens occurred after 96 hr of incubation. Separation of spleen cell subpopulations showed that measured immune responses were of T-cell origin. In vitro cell-mediated immune responses were observed for native and denatured collagen in splenic cell cultures from six of seven synovitic rabbits (P less than 0.01) but not in control spleen cell cultures derived from normal, adjuvant-primed or IgG-immune nonsynovitic rabbits. The incidence of cellular reactivity to incubation with native interstitial collagens was as follows: Type I, 43%; Type II, 43%; Type III, 57%. The incidence of in vitro immune responses to denatured collagens in cultures derived from rabbits with synovitis was: Type I, 50%; Type II, 50%; Type III, 67%. The relatively high incidence of immune response to both native and denatured collagens suggests that immunity to structural components of the synovial membrane and the adjacent surface of articular cartilage may play a role in the inflammation observed in immune synovitis.     

The gelatinolytic activity of human skin fibroblast collagenase

The gelatinolytic activity of human skin fibroblast collagenase was examined on denatured collagen types I-V. All denatured substrates were cleaved, including types IV and V, which are resistant to collagenase in native form. Interestingly, the earliest major cleavage in denatured collagen types I-III occurred at a 3/4-1/4 locus, resulting in products electrophoretically identical with TCA and TCB fragments of mammalian collagenase action on these native collagens. However, in the denatured substrates, multiple additional proteolytic cleavages followed. The propensity for cleavage at a 3/4-1/4 site in denatured collagen, where sequence is the major specifier of enzymatic action, would seem to indicate that the most favorable amino acid sequence of gamma chains for catalysis is located in this region. The peptide bond specificity of human fibroblast collagenase on gelatin was examined by amino acid sequencing of extensively cleaved denatured type I collagen. Analysis of the NH2-terminal amino acid residues from the resultant gelatin peptides showed sequences of "-H2N-Ile-Y-Gly" and "H2N-Leu-Y-Gly" only (where Y indicates that any amino acid can be found in that position), indicating that Gly-Ile and Gly-Leu bonds are the only sites of collagenase cleavage in this substrate. Whereas the gamma1 chains of denatured collagen types I-III were cleaved at similar rates, fibroblast collagenase was a much better gamma2-gelatinase than gamm1-gelatinase on denatured type 1 collagen. This preference for the cleavage of gamma2(I) was the result of both a higher kcat (750 versus 230 h-1) and lower Km (3.7 versus 7.0 microM) than for a gamma1(1), resulting in an overall selectivity (kcat/Km) of greater than 6-fold. Compared to such kinetic parameters on native collagen, these values indicate that gelatinolysis is somewhat slower than collagenolysis.     

A specific collagenase from rabbit fibroblasts in monolayer culture

1. Explants of rabbit skin and synovium in tissue culture secreted a specific collagenase into their culture media. Primary cultures of fibroblast-like cells, which were obtained from these tissues and maintained in culture for up to 14 subculture passages, also secreted high activities of a specific collagenase into serum-free culture medium. Secretion of enzyme activity from the cell monolayer was at constant rate for over 100h and continued for up to 8 days in serum-free culture medium. The enzymic activity released was proportional to the number of cells in the monolayer. 2. The fibroblast collagenase was maximally active between pH7 and 8. At 24 degrees C the collagenase decreased the viscosity of collagen in solution by 60%. The collagen molecule was cleaved into three-quarters and one-quarter length fragments as demonstrated by electron microscopy of segment-long-spacing crystallites (measured as native collagen molecules aligned with N-termini together along the long axis), and by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis of the denatured products. The collagenase hydrolysed insoluble collagen, reconstituted collagen fibrils and gelatin, but had no effect on haemoglobin or Pz-Pro-Leu-Gly-Pro-d-Arg (where Pz=4-phenylazobenzyloxycarbonyl). 3. The fibroblast collagenase was partially purified by gel filtration and the molecular weight was estimated as 38000. The activity of the partially purified enzyme was stimulated by 4-chloromercuribenzoate, inhibited by EDTA, cysteine, 1,10-phenanthroline and serum, but was unaffected by di-isopropyl phosphorofluoridate, Tos-LysCH(2)Cl and pepstatin. 4. Long-term cell cultures originating from rabbit skin or synovium from rabbits with experimentally induced arthritis also secreted specific collagenase. Human fibroblasts released only very small amounts of collagenase.     

Susceptibility of cartilage collagens type II, IX, X, and XI to human synovial collagenase and neutrophil elastase

The action of purified rheumatoid synovial collagenase and human neutrophil elastase on the cartilage collagen types II, IX, X and XI was examined. At 25 degrees C, collagenase attacked type II and type X (45-kDa pepsin-solubilized) collagens to produce specific products reflecting one and at least two cleavages respectively. At 35 degrees C, collagenase completely degraded the type II collagen molecule to small peptides whereas a large fragment of the type X molecule was resistant to further degradation. In contrast, collagen type IX (native, intact and pepsin-solubilized type M) and collagen type XI were resistant to collagenase attack at both 25 degrees C and 35 degrees C even in the presence of excess enzyme. Mixtures of type II collagen with equimolar amounts of either type IX or XI did not affect the rate at which the former was degraded by collagenase at 25 degrees C. Purified neutrophil elastase, shown to be functionally active against soluble type III collagen, had no effect on collagen type II at 25 degrees C or 35 degrees C. At 25 degrees C collagen types IX (pepsin-solubilized type M) and XI were also resistant to elastase, but at 35 degrees C both were susceptible to degradation with type IX being reduced to very small peptides. Collagen type X (45-kDa pepsin-solubilized) was susceptible to elastase attack at 25 degrees C and 35 degrees C as judged by the production of specific products that corresponded closely with those produced by collagenase. Although synovial collagenase failed to degrade collagen types IX and XI, all the cartilage collagen species examined were degraded at 35 degrees C by conditioned culture medium from IL1-activated human articular chondrocytes. Thus chondrocytes have the potential to catabolise each cartilage collagen species, but the specificity and number of the chondrocyte-derived collagenase(s) has yet to be resolved.     

Synthesis of collagen, collagenase and collagenase inhibitors by cloned human gingival fibroblasts and the effect of concanavalin A

Individual clones of human gingival fibroblasts that differ in morphology and growth characteristics have been found to synthesize collagen (types I, III and V), collagenase and collagenase inhibitors, and to be capable of degrading native collagen mats. Although collagenase activity was normally low, synthesis of the enzyme could be stimulated ten-fold by Concanavalin A. These results demonstrate that individual fibroblasts have the ability to both synthesize and degrade collagen.     

Effects of products from macrophages, blood mononuclear cells and or retinol on collagenase secretion and collagen synthesis in chondrocyte culture

Collagenase secretion was studied on cultures of rabbit articular chondrocytes. Differentiation of the cells was assessed by characterizing the type of 3H-labelled collagen produced during treatment with (1) conditioned media from rabbit peritoneal macrophages and human blood mononuclear cells, and (2) with retinol, a potent cartilage resorbing agent in tissue culture. Conditioned media stimulated collagenase secretion. Total collagen synthesis was reduced due to a decrease of synthesis of alpha 1 chains; the amount of alpha 2 chains synthesized was unchanged. This is thought to be due to a reduction in type II synthesis. Retinol did not stimulate collagenase secretion. Total collagen synthesis was reduced by retinol. alpha 2 chain synthesis, however, was significantly increased, suggesting a switch of collagen synthesis in favor of type I collagen, and therefore, dedifferentiation. These results demonstrate that dedifferentiation of chondrocytes with respect to collagen synthesis is not necessarily associated with a stimulation of collagenase secretion.     

Collagen synthesis by murine bone marrow cell culture

Collagen types synthesized by murine bone marrow cells were studied and the effect of lithium chloride on collagen biosynthesis in vitro was investigated. In the liquid culture system used, an adherent, mixed cell population supports hemopoiesis. Radioactive labeling of cell cultures and subsequent fractionation with ammonium sulfate, enzyme digestion, immune precipitation, and gel electrophoresis indicated that the bone marrow cells synthesized precursors to collagen types I, III, and IV, and fibronectin. A previously undescribed molecule or fragment with an apparent molecular weight of 17,000 daltons that was susceptible to bacterial collagenase and containing no interchain disulfide bonds was also identified in the culture media of both control and lithium-treated cells. Lithium treatment did not affect the types of collagen synthesized, although the relative proportions of collagen types may differ from controls. However, lithium does have an effect on the appearance of some, as yet unidentified, non-collagenous components in the cell culture media.     

Activity of matrix metalloproteinase-9 against native collagen types I and III

Interstitial collagen types I, II and III are highly resistant to proteolytic attack, due to their triple helical structure, but can be cleaved by matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) collagenases at a specific site, approximately three-quarters of the length from the N-terminus of each chain. MMP-2 and -9 are closely related at the structural level, but MMP-2, and not MMP-9, has been previously described as a collagenase. This report investigates the ability of purified recombinant human MMP-9 produced in insect cells to degrade native collagen types I and III. Purified MMP-9 was able to cleave the soluble, monomeric forms of native collagen types I and III at 37 degrees C and 25 degrees C, respectively. Activity against collagens I and III was abolished by metalloproteinase inhibitors and was not present in the concentrated crude medium of mock-transfected cells, demonstrating that it was MMP-9-derived. Mutated, collagenase-resistant type I collagen was not digested by MMP-9, indicating that the three-quarters/one-quarter locus was the site of initial attack. Digestion of type III collagen generated a three-quarter fragment, as shown by comparison with MMP-1-mediated cleavage. These data demonstrate that MMP-9, like MMP-2, is able to cleave collagens I and III in their native form and in a manner that is characteristic of the unique collagenolytic activity of MMP collagenases.     

Collagen-induced proMMP-2 activation by MT1-MMP in human dermal fibroblasts and the possible role of alpha2beta1 integrins

Culture of human dermal fibroblasts within a three-dimensional matrix composed of native type I collagen fibrils is widely used to study the cellular responses to the extracellular matrix. Upon contact with native type I collagen fibrils human skin fibroblasts activate latent 72-kDa type IV collagenase/ gelatinase (MMP-2) to its active 59- and 62-kDa forms. This activation did not occur when cells were cultured on plastic dishes coated with monomeric type I collagen or its denatured form, gelatin. Activation could be inhibited by antibodies against MT1-MMP, by the addition of TIMP-2 and by prevention of MT1-MMP processing. MT1-MMP protein was detected at low levels as active protein in fibroblasts cultured as monolayers. In collagen gel cultures, an increase of the active, 60-kDa MT1-MMP and an additional 63-kDa protein corresponding to inactive MT1-MMP was detected. Incubation of medium containing latent MMP-2 with cell membranes isolated from fibroblasts grown in collagen gels caused activation of the enzyme. Furthermore, regulation of MT1-MMP expression in collagen cultures seems to be mediated by alpha2beta1 integrins. These studies suggest that activation of the proMMP-2 is regulated at the cell surface by a mechanism which is sensitive to cell culture in contact with physiologically relevant matrices and which depends on the ratio of proenzyme and the specific inhibitor TIMP-2.     

Proteinases in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Purification and characterization of an enzyme which cleaves denatured collagen and a synthetic peptide with a Gly-Ile sequence

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes have been shown to contain proteolytic enzymes which are capable of degrading connective tissue proteins such as native collagen. In this study, proteolytic enzymes were extracted from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes and a neutral proteinase was extensively purified and characterized. The activity of this enzyme was monitored by degradation of denatured [ 3H ]proline-labeled type I collagen or by cleavage of a synthetic dinitrophenylated peptide with a Gly-Ile sequence. The enzyme was readily separated from leukocyte collagenase by concanavalin-A--Sepharose affinity chromatography and further purified by QAE-Sephadex ion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration on Sephacryl S-200. The purified enzyme had a molecular weight of approximately 105000, its pH optimum was about 7.8, and it was inhibited by Na2EDTA and dithiothreitol, but not by fetal calf serum. The enzyme degraded genetically distinct type I, II, III, IV and V collagens, when in a non-helical form, but not when in native triple-helical conformation. Dansyl-monitored end-group analyses, combined with digestion by carboxypeptidase A, indicated that the enzyme cleaved denaturated type I collagen at Gly-Xaa sequences, in which Xaa can be leucine, isoleucine, valine, phenylalanine, lysine, or methionine. Thus, the purified enzyme referred to here as Gly-Xaa proteinase, is a neutral proteinase, which may be of importance in inflammatory disease processes by degrading further collagen peptides which have been rendered non-helical as a result of collagenase cleavage.     

Independent regulation of collagen types by chondrocytes during the loss of differentiated function in culture

Collagen phenotypes were determined for rabbit articular chondrocytes in cartilage slices and first through fifth monolayer cultures. During the first 24 hr of slice culture, chondrocytes exhibited the following collagen phenotype: 96% type II, 3% X₂Y and 1% type III. In primary monolayer culture, no other types of collagen were added to this differentiated chondrocyte phenotype; however, the synthesis per cell of each of the expressed collagens was stimulated. By the fifth day of primary culture, X₂Y synthesis increased 10 fold, and by the eighth day, a further 4 fold. In contrast, the synthesis of collagen types II and III showed no change by the fifth day, but increased 7 fold by the eighth day. These results suggest independent regulation of X₂Y in this situation. In a separate experiment, first through fifth cultures were studied. The synthesis per cell of type II collagen declined steadily and essentially ceased by the fifth culture, indicating the loss of differentiated function by these chondrocyte progeny. The loss of type II synthesis was not quantitatively replaced by the synthesis of type I trimer and type I collagen which was first detected in the third culture. While these qualitative changes in phenotype occurred, the stimulated rate of type III collagen synthesis did not change and that of X₂Y declined only slightly. Thus the termination of type II synthesis did not significantly alter the synthesis of the other collagens produced by differentiated chondrocytes. The final “de-differentiated” phenotype was 41% type I, 25% X₂Y, 20% type I trimer, 13% type III and 1% type II.     

The comparative ability of plasma and tissue transglutaminases to use collagen as a substrate

Heat denatured type I and type III calf skin collagen were found to be substrates for guinea pig liver transglutaminase (R-glutaminyl-peptide:amine gamma-glutamyl-yltransferase, EC 2.3.2.13) but not for active plasma factor XIII (factor XIIIa). Liver transglutaminase was shown to catalyse incorporation of 14C-putrescine into subunits of denatured collagen of both types, cross-linking of the latter into high molecular weight polymers and their co-cross-linking to fibrin and fibrinogen. Factor XIIIa is inactive in these respects. None of these reactions was catalysed by liver transglutaminase and plasma factor XIIIa when nondenatured collagens both soluble or in the forms of reconstituted fibrils served as substrates. Some cross-linking of cleavage products of collagen type I (obtained by treatment with collagenase from human neutrophiles) was induced by liver transglutaminase and factor XIIIa. The results indicate that although appropriate glutamine and lysine residues for a epsilon-(gamma-glutamine) lysine cross-linked formation are present in collagen, the native conformation of collagen prevents the action of liver transglutaminase and factor XIIIa.     

Cleavage of Type II and III collagens with mammalian collagenase: site of cleavage and primary structure at the NH2-terminal portion of the smaller fragment released from both collagens.

Collagenase cleavage of human Type II and III collagens has been studied using a highly purified preparation of rabbit tumor collagenase. Progress of the reactions in solution was followed by viscometry and the results indicated that under the conditions employed Type III collagen molecules were cleaved at approximately five times the rate of Type II molecules. Cleavage products of the reactions were isolated in denatured form by agarose molecular sieve chromatography. The molecular weights and amino acid compositions of the products demonstrated that Type II and III molecules had been cleaved at the characteristic three-quarter, one-quarter locus, giving rise to a large fragment derived from the NH2-terminal portion of the molecule and a smaller fragment representing the COOH-terminal region. The amino acid sequence at the NH2-terminal portion of the smaller fragment derived from Type II collagen was determined to be Ile-Ala-Gly-Gln-Arg, and the corresponding region from Type III collagen was found to have the sequence Leu-Ala Gly-Leu-Arg. These sequences for alpha1(II) and alpha1(III) chains adjacent to the site of collagenase cleavage along with previous data for alpha1(I) and alpha2 chains indicate that the minimum specific sequence required for collagenase cleavage is Gly-Ile-Ala or Gly-Leu-Ala. Inspection of the available sequence data for collagen alpha chains indicates that the latter sequences are found in at least three additional locations at which collagenase cleavage does not occur. Each of the sequences which are apparently not substrates for collagenase, however, are followed by a Gly-X-Hyp sequence. We suggest, then, that a minimum of five residues in collagen alpha chains COOH-terminal to the cleavage site comprise the substrate recognition site.     

Fibronectin (cold-insoluble globulin), VI. Influence of heparin and hyaluronic acid on the binding of native collagen.

Fibronectin of human plasma associated readily with denatured collagen but gave only a weak reaction with the native protein. In the presence of heparin, however, solutions of native collagen type III, and fibronectin produced precipitates at an ionic strength of 0.2. In the presence of fibronectin and optimal additions of heparin, up to 60% of soluble native 125I-collagen type III, but only about 10% of native 125I-collagen type I, were insolubilized. Heparin also enhanced the formation of insoluble complexes from fibronectin and denatured collagen type I and type III. In the absence of collagen 125I-fibronectin was partially precipitated by heparin. Electron micrographs showed filamentous structures. Collagen did not increase the amount of 125I-fibronectin precipitated by heparin unless a critical collagen concentration was exceeded. It is suggested that heparin induced the transition of fibronectin from a globular to an elongated form, capable of forming filamentous precipitates which adsorb native collagen. Hyaluronic acid and putrescine prevented the insolubilization of native collagen type III, by fibronectin and heparin.     

Biochemical comparison of fibroblast populations from different periodontal tissues: characterization of matrix protein and collagenolytic enzyme synthesis

To compare the expression of extracellular matrix components by fibroblasts from different periodontal tissues, rat molar periodontal ligament fibroblasts (RPL) and rat gingival fibroblasts (RGF) were isolated and cultured from individual animals. Pulse-chase experiments using [35S]methionine as a precursor revealed that confluent populations of early passage cells of both cell types synthesized similar amounts of collagen, fibronectin, and SPARC/osteonectin. Qualitative and quantitative differences were apparent in the relative proportions of type III collagen, in the rates of procollagen processing, and in the synthesis of a small number of unidentified proteins observed by sodium dodecyl sulphate--polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Collagen constituted 24-26% of the radiolabelled proteins secreted by both cell types, type I being the predominant collagen, with lower amounts of type III (3-8% RGF, 8-18% RPL) and type V (approximately 1%) collagens. Procollagen processing in the culture medium of RPL cells was more rapid than for RGF cells, but was increased in multilayered cultures of both RPL and RGF. In multilayered cultures, collagen TCA fragments, indicative of tissue collagenase activity, were also identified. Active and latent tissue collagenases and a latent form of a novel collagenolytic enzyme (matrix metalloendoproteinase-V) that cleaves native TCA fragments were demonstrated in these cultures. Addition of either concanavalin A (10(-6) M) or retinoic acid (10(-5) M) to the culture medium stimulated the secretion of the latent collagenolytic enzymes. Collagenase inhibitor was also synthesized by both RGF and RPL cells. SPARC/osteonectin, a 40-kilodalton glycoprotein, represented 0.5-1.0% of the secreted radiolabelled proteins of both cell types.     

Collagenase from rabbit pulmonary alveolar macrophages.

Rabbit pulmonary alveolar macrophages produce a collagenase which lyses labeled collagen gels, specifically cleaves collagen types I, II and III, is inhibited by ethylenediaminetetraacetate, cysteine, dithiothreitol and serum but is not inhibited by a serine protease inhibitor. Alveolar macrophage collagenase activity can be enhanced by $\text{in vivo}$ BCG activation, $\text{in vitro}$ latex, silica or mycobacterium activation and by $\text{in vitro}$ uncovering of latent enzymatic activity with trypsin treatment. The production of collagenase by unactivated alveolar macrophages and the presence of “latent” collagenase in culture media of alveolar macrophages are examples of significant differences between alveolar and peritoneal macrophages.     

The collagen substrate specificity of rat uterus collagenase

The collagen substrate specificity of rat uterus collagenase was studied as a function of both collagen type and species of substrate origin. For each collagen examined, values for the basic kinetic parameters, Km and Vmax (kcat), were determined on collagen in solution at 25 degrees C. In all cases, Lineweaver-Burk plots were linear and rat uterus collagenase behaved as a normal Michaelis-Menten enzyme. Collagen types I, II, and III of all species tested were degraded by rat uterus collagenase. Collagen types IV and V were resistant to enzymatic attack. Both enzyme-substrate affinity and catalytic rates were very similar for all susceptible collagens (types I-III). Values for Km ranged from 0.9 to 2.5 X 10(-6) M. Values for kcat varied from 10.7 to 28.1 h-1. The homologous rat type I collagen was no better a substrate than the other animal species type I collagens. The ability of rat uterus collagenase to degrade collagen types I, II, and III with essentially the same catalytic efficiency is unlike the action of human skin fibroblast collagenase or any other interstitial collagenase reported to date. The action of rat uterus collagenase on type I collagen was compared to that of human skin fibroblast collagenase, with regard to their capacity to cleave collagen as solution monomers versus insoluble fibrils. Both enzymes had essentially equal values for kcat on monomeric collagen, yet the specific activity of the rat uterus collagenase was 3- to 6-fold greater on collagen fibrils than the skin fibroblast enzyme. Thus, in spite of their similar activity on collagen monomers in solution, the rat uterus collagenase can degrade collagen aggregated into fibrils considerably more readily than can human skin fibroblast collagenase.