U.C.L.A. Rheumatology Pathophysiology of Disease Course Lecture, Second Year Medical School 2005

      In addition to producing molecules used to construct cartilage, chondrocytes also secrete enzymes that facilitate the breakdown of the extracellular matrix. Metalloproteases (MMPs), so called because they contain heavy metal catalysts, are important and include collagenases and gelatinases, amongst others. A whimsical cartoon collagenase is shown at work.