HUMAN GELATINASE-B, A MARKER ENZYME IN RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS, IS INHIBITED BY D-PENICILLAMINE - ANTIRHEUMATIC ACTIVITY BY PROTEASE INHIBITION

The direct and indirect inhibitory potential of D-penicillamine toward human neutrophil and synovial fluid gelatinase B, a marker enzyme for disease severity in RA, was investigated. Gelatinase and plasminogen activator activities were assessed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electroph oresis zymography. D-penicillamine significantly inhibits purified and synovial fluid gelatinase B in vitro at concentrations attainable in vivo and also blocks in vitro plasminogen activation. Protease inhibit ion may be a mechanism of action for D-penicillamine as DMARD.