Cell-to-cell interactions in the secretion of enzymes of connective tissue breakdown, collagenase and proteoglycan-degrading neutral proteases. A review.

Cell and tissue culture techniques provide valuable tools for investigating cell-to-cell interactions leading to the secretion of connective-tissue degrading enzymes, collagenase and proteoglycan-degrading neutral proteases, in inflammatory situations. These interactions, which might constitute a major regulatory mechanism, are reviewed here. Taken together, the available data strongly suggest that fibroblasts and related mesenchymal cells (such as chondrocytes, fibroblast-like or type B synovial lining cells, corneal stromal cells, etc.) could be the main suppliers of collagenase within tissues. These cells can secrete collagenase in response to factors produced by other cells, mainly macrophages and related cells (monocytes, synovial cells - presumably the macrophage like, type A synovial lining cells), possibly also epithelial cells. Lymphocytes are able to modulate factor production by macrophages so that, through the macrophage link the secretory behavior of the fibroblastic cells may be under the control of the immune defense system and serve as an effector of immune reactions leading to connective tissue destruction.