Changes in proteoglycan biosynthesis following leukocyte elastase treatment of bovine articular cartilage in culture.
Treatment of bovine articular cartilage in culture with a low molecular weight elastase purified from rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocytes resulted in degradation and release of proteoglycans from the tissue, coupled with a prolonged inhibition of proteoglycan biosynthesis. These observations are consistent with those seen in experimental arthritis induced in rabbits. Comparison of the size of the proteoglycan degradation products extracted from elastase-treated cartilage in culture with that from arthritic cartilage showed marked similarities. The results strongly suggest that leukocyte elastase is a contributing factor in proteoglycan degradation and inhibition of synthesis in inflammatory joint disease.
D000818:Animals; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000378:metabolism*; D002417:Cattle; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000201:enzymology*; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011817:Rabbits
D011509:Proteoglycans; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase