Elevations of neutrophil proteinase 3 in serum of patients with Wegener's granulomatosis and polyarteritis nodosa.
OBJECTIVE
To determine serum levels of proteinase 3 (PR3) in normal subjects and patients with Wegener's granulomatosis (WG), polyarteritis nodosa (PAN), chronic renal failure, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).


METHODS
Serum levels of PR3 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay employing a monospecific rabbit polyclonal antibody against PR3.


RESULTS
Quantifiable levels of PR3 were detected in all serum samples examined, including those of normal subjects. Marked elevations of serum PR3, which decreased with treatment, were found in patients with active WG. Patients with PAN, SLE, and chronic renal failure also showed elevated levels of PR3.


CONCLUSIONS
Quantitating serum PR3 may be useful in the management of patients with WG and other connective tissue diseases.
Henshaw
T J
TJ
Department of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville.
Malone
C C
CC
Gabay
J E
JE
Williams
R C
RC
D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D014890:Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / Q000097:blood / Q000201:enzymology*; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood; D053146:Myeloblastin; D010488:Polyarteritis Nodosa / Q000097:blood / Q000201:enzymology*; D012016:Reference Values; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000097:blood*
D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic; D001323:Autoantibodies; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases; D053146:Myeloblastin