Expression and Function of Aminopeptidase N/CD13 Produced by Fibroblast Like Synoviocytes in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Role of CD13 in Chemotaxis of Cytokine Activated T cells Independent of Enzymatic Activity

摘要

ObjectiveAminopeptidase N (CD13, EC 3.4.11.2) is a metalloproteinase expressed by fibroblast like synoviocytes (FLS). It has been suggested that CD13 can act chemotactically for T cells in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The goals of this study were to measure CD13 in vivo and in vitro-in RA samples, and to determine whether CD13 could play a role in homing of T cells to the RA joint.