Elevated expression of MMP-3 gene as well as pro-MMP-3 secretion in response to protein I/II were also found in RA FLSs, whereas the expression of other MMPs (MMP-1 to MMP-3 and MMP-7 to MMP-18) present on the arrays were not affected by protein I/II stimulation. The gene discussed is MMP3; the disease is rheumatoid arthritis.