ISSN:
0730-2312
Keywords:
granulomatous inflammation
;
murine elastase
;
aldehyde-fuchsin-stained fibers
;
granuloma
;
Life and Medical Sciences
;
Cell & Developmental Biology
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Chemistry and Pharmacology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Elastases have been reported to be involved in various types of tissue injury. In this study we detected hydrolytic activities for [3H]-elastin and Suc-Ala-Ala-Ala-pNA (SLAPN) in hepatic granulomas which became elevated in parallel with enlargement of the granulomas and disappearance of aldehyde-fuchsin-stained filaments in the lesions of mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni. The elastase was partially purified by gel filtration followed by anion-exchange chromatography. This enzyme has a molecular weight of 20-25k and hydrolyzed denatured collagen (azocoll), Glu-Pro-Val-pNA, SLAPN, and [3H]-elastin. Optimal pH was 7-8.5. It is a serine proteinase and distinct in its inhibitor profile from murine peritoneal macrophage elastase, which has been reported by others. Digestion of elastic fibers in vessel walls and fine fibrils in newly developed granulomas by the granuloma elastase was histochemically identified with aldehyde-fuchsin stain. These results indicate that a serine proteinease functions as a major elastase in granulomatous tisssue remodeling and may account for the disappearance of elastic fibers and other elements of the matrix in fully developed granulomas.
Additional Material:
6 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jcb.240320109
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