Cleavage of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (thrombospondin-5) by matrix metalloproteinases and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs

Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) is a pentameric glycoprotein present in cartilage, tendon and ligament. Fragments of the molecule are present in the diseased cartilage, synovial fluid and serum of patients with knee injuries, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Although COMP is a substrate for several matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), the enzymes responsible for COMP degradation in vivo have yet to be identified. In this study we...