... contributionsUS and NS performed the Affymetrix chip analysis. US, NS and CP analysed the MMP, cathepsin and cytokine expres-sion by real-time PCR. MH performed the zymography, the MMP activity assay and the ... recently reviewed by Yan and Sloane [34].However, the expression and function of most of the cathepsins in RA are unknown. Our results support the hypothesis that cathepsins participate in matrix- degradingprocesses. ... activity assay and zymography. By a combination of oligonucleotide chips, real-time PCR and zymography, we showed differential expressions of several MMPs, cathepsins and proteinase inhibitors in the course...