Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of joints characterized by the accumulation of mononuclear cells and the proliferation of the synovium-lining layer. The role of lymphocytes, macrophages and fibroblasts infiltrating the synovium is not fully understood. These cells are supposed to be involved in the tissue destruction by several mechanisms, including the production of proinflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are the enzymes that participate in the proteolytic degradation and remodelling of the extracellular matrix. Their action is controlled by tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). In this review we describe the role of metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis.