Figure 1  .

Molar ratios of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) to tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), carboxymethylated transferrin (Cm-Tf)-degrading activity, and correlation between the molar ratios and the activity. (A) Molar ratios of total MMPs to total TIMPs were calculated as described in "Materials and methods". Bars indicate mean values in RA and OA synovial fluids (SFs). (B) Cm-Tf-degrading activity in SF was measured after the p-aminophenylmercuric acetate (APMA) activation in the presence of serine and cysteine proteinase inhibitors as described in "Materials and methods". Bars indicate mean values in RA and OA SFs. (C) Correlation between the molar ratios and the Cm-Tf-degrading activity. Note a significant direct correlation (r_s=0.580, p<0.001).