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Abstract Proteolytic degradation of articular cartilage is a characteristic feature of joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis this may be due to the action of enzymes derived from the synovial cells chondrocytes or polymorphonuclear leucocytes immune localization studies have demonstrated collagenase enzyme at sites of cartilage erosion to degrede specific components of articular cartilage It has been difrient to find evidence of collagenase enzyme in normal cartilage. Intracellular collagenase may be inactive because of the presence of an inhibitor may not be released from the cells or may be presence of an inhibitor may not be released from the cells or may be present in an inactive from (Abramson and huany) Collagenase enzyme and other mammalian metalio proteninases are commonly found in culture and in tissues in an inactive proenzyme form werb. |