Serum Matrix Metalloproteinase-3 as a Noninvasive Biomarker of Histological Synovitis for Diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Figure 4

(a~j) Synovial MMP-3 expression and inflammatory cells in representative synovium from 2 different patients with RA. High and low MMP-3 expression in the endochylema of lining cells in RA synovium (a and f). Case one showed aggregated CD3+ T cells (b) and CD38+ plasma cells (c), together with diffuse infiltration of CD68+ macrophages (d) and CD15+ neutrophils (e). Case two showed a small number of CD3+ T cells (g), CD38+ plasma cells (h), CD68+ macrophages (i), and CD15+ neutrophils (j). In panels (a) to (j), immunohistochemical stains with DAB as chromogen (brown); original magnification ×400. (k) ROC curve showed synovial MMP-3 with the ability to distinguish high grade from low grade synovitis. (l~o) Spearman’s rank correlation analysis between synovial MMP-3 and CD3+ T cells (l), CD38+ plasma cells (m), CD68+ macrophages (n), and CD15+ neutrophils (o).