Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:3.4.21.37 (neutrophil elastase)
4,078 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Activation of CXCR4 by the CXC chemokine stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) requires interaction of the amino-terminal domains of both molecules. We report that proteinases released from either mononucleated blood cells or polymorphonuclear neutrophils degranulated by inflammatory stimuli generate an SDF-1 fragment that is deleted from amino-terminal residues Lys(1)-Pro(2)-Val(3), as characterized by mass spectrometry analysis. The proteolyzed chemokine fails to induce agonistic functions and is unable to prevent the fusogenic capacity of CXCR4-tropic human immunodeficiency viruses. Furthermore, we observed that exposure of CXCR4-expressing cells to leukocyte proteinases results in the proteolysis of the extracellular amino-terminal domain of the receptor, as assessed by flow cytometry analysis and electrophoretic separation of immunoprecipitated CXCR4. Blockade of SDF-1 and CXCR4 proteolysis by the specific leukocyte elastase inhibitor, N-methoxysuccinyl-alanine-alanine-proline-valine-chloromethyl ketone, identified elastase as the major enzyme among leukocyte-secreted proteinases that accounts for inactivation of both SDF-1 and CXCR4. Indeed, purified leukocyte elastase generated in either SDF-1 or CXCR4 a pattern of cleavage indistinguishable from that observed with leukocyte-secreted proteinases. Our findings suggest that elastase-mediated proteolysis of SDF-1/CXCR4 is part of a mechanism regulating their biological functions in both homeostatic and pathologic processes.
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PMID:Leukocyte elastase negatively regulates Stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1)/CXCR4 binding and functions by amino-terminal processing of SDF-1 and CXCR4. 1186 24

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) induced hematopoietic stem cell mobilization is widely used for clinical transplantation; however, the mechanism is poorly understood. We report here that G-CSF induced a reduction of the chemokine stromal cell derived factor 1 (SDF-1) and an increase in its receptor CXCR4 in the bone marrow (BM), whereas their protein expression in the blood was less affected. The gradual decrease of BM SDF-1, due mostly to its degradation by neutrophil elastase, correlated with stem cell mobilization. Elastase inhibition reduced both activities. Human and murine stem cell mobilization was inhibited by neutralizing CXCR4 or SDF-1 antibodies, demonstrating SDF-1 CXCR4 signaling in cell egress. We suggest that manipulation of SDF-1 CXCR4 interactions may be a means with which to control the navigation of progenitors between the BM and blood to improve the outcome of clinical stem cell transplantation.
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PMID:G-CSF induces stem cell mobilization by decreasing bone marrow SDF-1 and up-regulating CXCR4. 1206 93

Neutrophils play an essential role in host defense and inflammation, but the latter may trigger and sustain the pathogenesis of a range of acute and chronic diseases. Green tea has been claimed to exert anti-inflammatory properties through unknown molecular mechanisms. We have previously shown that the most abundant catechin of green tea, (-)epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), strongly inhibits neutrophil elastase. Here we show that 1) micromolar EGCG represses reactive oxygen species activity and inhibits apoptosis of activated neutrophils, and 2) dramatically inhibits chemokine-induced neutrophil chemotaxis in vitro; 3) both oral EGCG and green tea extract block neutrophil-mediated angiogenesis in vivo in an inflammatory angiogenesis model, and 4) oral administration of green tea extract enhances resolution in a pulmonary inflammation model, significantly reducing consequent fibrosis. These results provide molecular and cellular insights into the claimed beneficial properties of green tea and indicate that EGCG is a potent anti-inflammatory compound with therapeutic potential.
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PMID:Neutrophil restraint by green tea: inhibition of inflammation, associated angiogenesis, and pulmonary fibrosis. 1268 70

An early response to cigarette smoke is an influx of leukocytes into the lung. Alveolar epithelial type II (ATII) cells may contribute by releasing chemokines in response to cigarette smoke and neutrophil elastase (NE). Human ATII cells were purified from normal regions of lungs resected for carcinoma (n = 14). In vitro, these cells exhibited ATII cell characteristics: lamellar bodies, apical microvilli, tight junctions, and expressed surfactant apoprotein C. Basal ATII cell release of five chemokines ranked as follows: monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1 > interleukin (IL)-8 > growth-related oncogene (GRO)-alpha > macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1alpha > regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES). MIP-1alpha and RANTES were often not detectable. After stimulation with a mixture of lipopolysaccharide/endotoxin (LPS), tumor necrosis factor-alpha, IL-1beta, and IFN-gamma, MCP-1 and IL-8 secretion rose 4-6-fold, whereas GRO-alpha rose 25-fold. NE stimulated IL-8 mRNA expression, and 10nM NE stimulated IL-8 secretion; however, 100 nM NE caused a decrease in extracellular IL-8, MCP-1, and GRO-alpha, attributed to proteolysis. Cigarette smoke extract (CSE) inhibited IL-8 mRNA expression and release of all chemokines. Glutathione protected against the effects of CSE, suggesting oxidative mechanisms. GRO-alpha, important in growth and repair, was sensitive to both stimulation, by LPS:cytokines, and inhibition, by CSE. Thus, contrary to the original hypothesis, high concentrations of NE and CSE resulted in reduced extracellular chemokine levels. We hypothesize that reduced ATII cell-derived chemokine levels compromise alveolar repair, contributing to cigarette smoke-induced alveolar damage and emphysema.
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PMID:Primary human alveolar type II epithelial cell chemokine release: effects of cigarette smoke and neutrophil elastase. 1503 39

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting arterial vessels. Strategies to reduce the inflammatory responses of endothelial cells and macrophages may slow lesion development and prevent complications such as plaque rupture. The human protease human neutrophil elastase (HNE), oxidized low density lipoprotein, LPS, and TNF-alpha were chosen as model stimuli of arterial wall inflammation and led to production of the chemokine IL-8 in endothelial cells. To counteract the activity of HNE, we have examined the effects of adenoviral gene delivery of the anti-elastases elafin, previously demonstrated within human atheroma, and murine secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI), a related molecule, on the inflammatory responses of human endothelial cells and macrophages to atherogenic stimuli. We developed a technique of precomplexing adenovirus with cationic lipid to augment adenoviral infection efficiency in endothelial cells and to facilitate infection in macrophages. Elafin overexpression protected endothelial cells from HNE-induced IL-8 production and cytotoxicity. Elafin and murine SLPI also reduced endothelial IL-8 release in response to oxidized low density lipoprotein, LPS, and TNF-alpha and macrophage TNF-alpha production in response to LPS. This effect was associated with reduced activation of the inflammatory transcription factor NF-kappaB, through up-regulation of IkappaBalpha, in both cell types. Our work suggests a novel and extended anti-inflammatory role for these HNE inhibitors working as effectors of innate immunity to protect tissues against maladaptive inflammatory responses. Our findings indicate that elafin and SLPI may be gene therapy targets for the treatment of atheroma.
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PMID:Adenoviral gene delivery of elafin and secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor attenuates NF-kappa B-dependent inflammatory responses of human endothelial cells and macrophages to atherogenic stimuli. 1503 71

The sulfated polysaccharide fucoidan can rapidly mobilize hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) and long-term repopulating stem cells from the bone marrow (BM) to the circulation. While searching for mechanisms involved in this phenomenon we found that BM myeloid cells bound to fucoidan through the integrin alphaMbeta2 (macrophage antigen-1 [Mac-1]) and L-selectin resulting in alphaMbeta2-independent release of neutrophil elastase, but inhibition of elastase activity did not impair fucoidan-induced mobilization. Mobilization of HPCs by fucoidan was enhanced in animals deficient in alphaM (alphaM-/-) compared with wild-type (alphaM+/+) animals and higher plasma levels of the chemokine CXCL12/stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) were achieved in alphaM-/- mice by fucoidan treatment. However, in chimeric animals harboring alphaM+/+ and alphaM-/- HPCs in the BM, alphaM-/- HPCs were preferentially mobilized by fucoidan, suggesting that the enhanced mobilization is cell intrinsic and does not result from altered microenvironment. Suboptimal doses of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) or cyclophosphamide (CY) also resulted in enhanced HPC mobilization in alphaM-/- mice compared with alphaM+/+ controls, but this difference was overcome when standard doses of G-CSF or CY were administered. Taken together, these data suggest that the integrin alphaMbeta2 participates in the retention of HPCs in the BM.
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PMID:The integrin alphaMbeta2 anchors hematopoietic progenitors in the bone marrow during enforced mobilization. 1510 Jan 52

Goblet cell hyperplasia in the superficial airway epithelia is a signature pathological feature of chronic bronchitis and cystic fibrosis. In these chronic inflammatory airway diseases, neutrophil elastase (NE) is found in high concentrations in the epithelial lining fluid. NE has been reported to trigger mucin secretion and increase mucin gene expression in vitro. We hypothesized that chronic NE exposure to murine airways in vivo would induce goblet cell metaplasia. Human NE (50 microg) or PBS saline was aspirated intratracheally by male Balb/c (6 wk of age) mice on days 1, 4, and 7. On days 8, 11, and 14, lung tissues for histology and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples for cell counts and cytokine levels were obtained. NE induced Muc5ac mRNA and protein expression and goblet cell metaplasia on days 8, 11, and 14. These cellular changes were the result of proteolytic activity, since the addition of an elastase inhibitor, methoxysuccinyl Ala-Ala-Pro-Val chloromethylketone (AAPV-CMK), blocked NE-induced Muc5ac expression and goblet cell metaplasia. NE significantly increased keratinocyte-derived chemokine and IL-5 in BAL and increased lung tissue inflammation and BAL leukocyte counts. The addition of AAPV-CMK reduced these measures of inflammation to control levels. These experiments suggest that NE proteolytic activity initiates an inflammatory process leading to goblet cell metaplasia.
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PMID:Neutrophil elastase induces mucus cell metaplasia in mouse lung. 1527 79

Leukocyte trafficking to sites of inflammation follows a defined temporal pattern, and evidence suggests that initial neutrophil transendothelial migration modifies endothelial cell phenotype. We tested the hypothesis that preconditioning of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) by neutrophils would also modify the subsequent transendothelial migration of T lymphocytes across cytokine-stimulated HUVEC in an in vitro flow assay. Using fluorescence microscopy, preconditioning of HUVEC by neutrophils was observed to significantly reduce the extent of subsequent stromal cell-derived factor-1alpha (SDF-1alpha [CXCL12])-mediated T lymphocyte transendothelial migration, without reducing accumulation. In contrast, recruitment of a second wave of neutrophils was unaltered. Conditioned medium harvested after transendothelial migration of neutrophils or supernatants from stimulated neutrophils mediated a similar blocking effect, which was negated using a specific neutrophil elastase inhibitor. Furthermore, T lymphocyte transendothelial migration was inhibited by treatment of HUVEC with purified neutrophil elastase, which selectively cleaved the amino terminus of HUVEC-bound SDF-1alpha, which is required for its chemotactic activity. The reduction in T lymphocyte transendothelial migration was not observed using a different chemokine, ELC (CCL19), and was not reversed by replenishment of SDF-1alpha, indicating endothelial retention of the inactivated chemokine. In summary, transmigrating neutrophils secrete localized elastase that is protected from plasma inhibitors, and thereby modulate trafficking of other leukocyte subsets by altering the endothelial-associated chemotactic activities.
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PMID:Elastase release by transmigrating neutrophils deactivates endothelial-bound SDF-1alpha and attenuates subsequent T lymphocyte transendothelial migration. 1538 27

Highly activated neutrophils play a critical role in mediating organ injury in sepsis by releasing neutrophil elastase (NE). Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play an important role in the host defense against invading microbes, and their signaling pathway is critical to the activation of the proinflammatory response. However, the relationship between TLR expression and the host defense mechanism during sepsis has not been fully elucidated. In this paper, we investigated the relationships among chemokine (MIP-2), TLR-4, and NE expression in human sepsis and murine peritonitis (CLP). TLR-4 expression on monocytes/macrophages was examined in patients with sepsis and in murine peritonitis and was markedly increased in both populations. LPS-induced MIP-2 production by bronchoalveolar cells and liver mononuclear cells in mice with peritonitis was also significantly increased compared with sham-operated mice. Pretreatment of the macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7 cells, with a NE inhibitor before their exposure to LPS resulted in a significant dose-dependent decrease in MIP-2 production, which was comparable to that seen following pretreatment with TLR-4 antibody. Furthermore, NE and LPS both up-regulated TLR-4 expression on human peripheral blood monocytes. Thus, chemokine-induced recruitment of neutrophils in sepsis may result in further increased chemokine production and increased expression of TLR-4. Neutrophil-derived NE may be associated with increased expression of monocyte/macrophage TLR-4, thereby serving as a positive feedback loop for the inflammatory response among the different cell populations.
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PMID:Neutrophil elastase, MIP-2, and TLR-4 expression during human and experimental sepsis. 1561 30

By 2020 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) will be the third leading cause of mortality and fifth leading cause of morbidity. Research over the past two decades has shed important insights on the pathobiology of COPD, leading to the development of novel drugs. In the past, symptomatic treatment with bronchodilators was the predominant focus of COPD management. With increased awareness of the importance of airway inflammation in COPD progression, there has been a shift in emphasis to drugs that attack various targets in the inflammatory cascade. These drugs include phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors, leukotriene modifiers and TNF antagonists, which are poised to enter the COPD market in the very near future. Tyrosine kinase antagonists, inhibitors of NF-kappaB, neutrophil elastase inhibitors, chemokine antagonists, mucolytics and novel antibiotics are being evaluated for possible effectiveness in COPD. Many of these drugs may enter the COPD market within the next decade. This paper reviews the molecular rationale for these emerging drugs and their potential efficacy in COPD.
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PMID:Emerging drugs for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. 1663 2


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