Elastolytic activity of human monocytes: rheumatological aspects.
Activation of human monocytes in rheumatic disorders includes the production of substances active in immunologic interactions, inflammatory responses, and tissue remodelling. This review discusses the cell surface-related elastolytic activity of live human monocytes, as determined by a newly developed elastin assay. Elastase activity was not found to be depressed by patient treatment with glucocorticoids or slow-acting disease modifying drugs nor enhanced by phagocytosis, but was increased by immune complexes in vitro and in patients with rheumatoid arthritis or giant cell arteritis. The leucocyte elastase content seems to be influenced by systemic factors before the monocytes are released into the blood. The enzyme expression of elastase is determined by local factors acting after the cells have left the circulation. Monocyte expression may therefore be a link between immune activation and proteolytic activity.
Jensen
H S
HS
Department of Rheumatology TTA, Rigshospitalet University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
D000818:Animals; D004547:Elastic Tissue / Q000502:physiology*; D004549:Elastin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D009000:Monocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase / Q000032:analysis; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012219:Rheumatology / Q000379:methods
D004549:Elastin; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase