title: Comparison of human polymorphonuclear neutrophil elastase, polymorphonuclear neutrophil cathepsin-G, and alpha 2-macroglobulin levels in healthy and inflamed dental pulps.
abstract: Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) are found in dental pulp secondary to carious exposures, periodontal disease, or trauma. Lysosomal degranulation of these cells liberates cellular proteases, including elastase (PMN-E) and cathepsin-G (PMN-CG), which produce connective tissue degradation. However, nonspecific pulpal tissue destruction can be modified by a naturally occurring serum protease inhibitor alpha 2-macroglobulin (A2-M). This study relates the concentrations of human PMN-E, PMN-CG, and A2-M in healthy and inflamed pulpal samples. Evaluation of 21 specimens yielded statistically significant differences between healthy and moderate to severely inflamed pulps for all groups (p < 0.05). No significant correlation was detected among human PMN-E, PMN-CG, and A2-M in the healthy tissues (P > 0.05). However, in the moderate to severely inflamed pulps, there was a significant correlation between PMN-CG and A2-M (p < 0.05).
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontics, Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, Dental School, University of Maryland 21201-1586, USA.
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Rauschenberger
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: McClanahan
authors.forename: E D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Pederson
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Kaminski
mesh_terms: D056649:Cathepsin G; D002403:Cathepsins / Q000032:analysis / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000201:enzymology*; D006801:Humans; D019272:Leukocyte Elastase / Q000032:analysis / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000201:enzymology*; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase / Q000032:analysis / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D011671:Pulpitis / Q000097:blood / Q000201:enzymology*; D012016:Reference Values; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins; D002403:Cathepsins; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases; C534094:CTSG protein, human; D056649:Cathepsin G; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase; D019272:Leukocyte Elastase