Activation of procollagenase constitutes a crucial event in collagenolytic activity regulation. In this study we have purified by DEAE-cellulose, Ultrogel AcA-44, and zinc chelate sepharose chromatographies, a procollagenase-activator from the culture medium of the guinea pig carrageenin granuloma model. On SDS-PAGE, the activator migrates as a principal band of Mr approximately 44,000. The molecule activates procollagenase from human lung fibroblasts in a concentration dependent manner and an enhancement of collagenase activity of trypsin-treated crude culture medium was observed. A loss of about 50% of its activity occurs after heating. In addition, this activator degrades gelatin and casein. All these data suggest that this procollagenase-activator might be stromelysin. The activator was found in both phases of the granuloma, at 7 days when collagen is actively deposited and an important proportion of the collagenolytic activity remains in latent form; and at 14 days, when this enzymatic activity is fully expressed.