The collagenases: are they tractable targets for preventing cartilage destruction in osteoarthritis?

Introduction: The etiology and pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA) have been intensely investigated; however, the disease course and progression are not completely understood. A prominent role for interstitial collagenases is recognized in this degenerative process; hence, strategies to target them are of major interest. Areas covered: The pathogenesis of OA, the role of interstitial collagenases (MMP-1, −8, and −13), and collagenase modifying drugs are examined and discussed. We reviewed relevant papers from PubMed and Google Scholar. Expert opinion: There is strong evidence for the therapeutic potential of MMP inhibitors in OA; however, they are not expected to impact the inflammatory process. Therefore, there is a need for a relative inhibitor of MMP-13 collagenase, which possesses anti-inflammatory properties. The identification of novel broad-spectrum relative to multiple peptidase inhibitors could provide desirable tools for the prophylaxis, cure, or treatment of diseases involving articular cartilage (AC) degradation, in particular OA.