Role of neutrophil elastase in allergen-induced lysozyme secretion in the dog trachea.
To test our hypothesis that neutrophil elastase plays a role in airway hypersecretion associated with the allergic late-phase response, using an isolated tracheal segment system in vivo and measuring lysozyme activity in the perfusate of the lumen as a marker of submucosal gland secretion over 8 h, we studied the response of five allergic dogs to ragweed. The dogs were exposed on separate occasions to specific allergen, to allergen vehicle, and to allergen in the presence of a selective neutrophil elastase inhibitor, ICI 200,355. Allergen exposure caused a marked increase in lysozyme secretion that was significantly increased at 4, 6, and 8 h compared with controls and ICI 200,355-treated dogs. Neutrophil elastase appeared in the perfusate after allergen exposure and was positively correlated with lysozyme secretion at 8 h. These findings suggest that neutrophil elastase plays an important role as a secretagogue in the allergic late-phase response.
Tabachnik
E
E
Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco 94143-0130.
Schuster
A
A
Gold
W M
WM
Nadel
J A
JA
D000485:Allergens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009113:Muramidase / Q000378:metabolism*; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000201:enzymology*; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000494:pharmacology; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*; D014132:Trachea / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*
D000485:Allergens; D009842:Oligopeptides; C069366:ICI 200355; D009113:Muramidase; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase