MMP-3 expression increased 2.7-fold (basal 7.87 ng/mL compared to Pam3CSK4 21.16 ng/mL) in RASFC and 1.9-fold in RA synovial tissue (basal 895 ng/mL compared to Pam3CSK4 1675 ng/mL, p <0.05) (Fig. 2b, 2c (ii)). This evidence concerns the gene MMP3 and rheumatoid arthritis.