title: Proteolytic enzymes in blister fluids from patients with dermatitis herpetiformis.
abstract: Proteolytic enzymes may be involved in blister formation in dermatitis herpetiformis (DH). We have examined collagenase, gelatinase and elastase-like enzyme activities in fluids collected from spontaneous blisters and from suction blisters raised on developing DH-lesions induced by application of potassium iodide. Control suction blisters were raised on unaffected DH-skin and on healthy volunteers. High enzyme activities were found in spontaneous blisters, and suction blister fluids obtained from developing lesions showed increased levels of gelatinase and elastase-like enzymes. Inhibitor studies revealed that a part of the elastase-like enzyme activity might be derived from inflammatory cells. Gel filtration chromatography disclosed two separate elastase-like enzymes which, as they had high molecular weights, could be either enzyme-inhibitor complexes or aggregates.
mesh_terms: D001768:Blister / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000209:etiology; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D003874:Dermatitis Herpetiformis / Q000150:complications / Q000201:enzymology*; D005122:Exudates and Transudates / Q000201:enzymology*; D018093:Gelatinases; D006801:Humans; D003012:Microbial Collagenase / Q000378:metabolism; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase / Q000378:metabolism; D010434:Pepsin A / Q000378:metabolism; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D010447:Peptide Hydrolases; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase; D010434:Pepsin A; D018093:Gelatinases; D003012:Microbial Collagenase