The induction of pulmonary emphysema with human leukocyte elastase.
Purified human leukocyte elastase was injected into the tracheas of 46 hamsters. Thirteen animals died spontaneously within 1 week, with extensive lung hemorrhage. The elastin content of the lungs was only slightly less than control values 3 hours after injection. At 2 months, the lungs of the remaining animals showed mild, patchy emphysema and morphometric changes consistent with emphysema. These results contrasted with the effects of a similar elastolytic dose of pancreatic elastase administered to 26 other hamsters in that only one animal died spontaneously, the lung elastin content 3 hours after injection was substantially decreased, and severe emphysema was present 2 months later. Leukocyte elastase appears to be capable of causing emphysema; but unlike pancreatic elastase, leukocyte elastase produces emphysema that is mild, even at a dose sufficient to produce intense lung hemorrhage and a high mortality.
D000818:Animals; D006224:Cricetinae; D004549:Elastin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000201:enzymology*; D008168:Lung / Q000032:analysis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D011656:Pulmonary Emphysema / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology
D004549:Elastin; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase