Serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase 3 and macrophage colony-stimulating factor 1 correlate with disease activity in ankylosing spondylitis

Objective. To assess the usefulness of measuring serum matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP-3) and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods. Serum levels of MMP-3 and M-CSF were measured in AS patients who did and did not receive infliximab treatment. These were compared with those of 28 healthy subjects. Results. In the group of AS patients not treated with biologics, both M-CSF and MMP-3 correlated with the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) values, but not with each other. Logistic regression analysis showed that MMP-3 values were high in those with severely active disease. Infusions of infliximab in AS patients led to a significant decrease in the values of the BASDAI as well as the serum MMP-3, but no change in the serum M-CSF values. Conclusion. MMP-3 and M-CSF are potentially useful markers of AS disease activity.