Uptake of immunoreactive leukocyte elastase-inhibitor complexes in macrophage-like cells in abscesses.
Leukocyte elastase was demonstrated immunohistochemically not only in PMN-leukocytes in subcutaneous abscesses but also in scattered macrophage-like cells which in addition contained immunoreactive alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor (alpha 1PI) and alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M). These cells were located mainly in the marginal region of the abscess. It is concluded that the intracellular deposits in the macrophage-like cells represent phagocytized elastase and/or elastase-alpha 1PI and elastase-alpha 2M complexes. A contributing, local production of the inhibitor is, however, not excluded by the present findings.
Delshammar
M
M
Department of Surgery, University of Lund, Malmö General Hospital, Sweden.
Lasson
A
A
Ohlsson
K
K
D000038:Abscess / Q000378:metabolism*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D019272:Leukocyte Elastase; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin / Q000378:metabolism*; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins / Q000378:metabolism*
D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase; D019272:Leukocyte Elastase