Production of secretory leucocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) in human pancreatic beta-cells.
Secretory leucocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) is a potent inhibitor of granulocyte elastase and cathepsin G, and also an inhibitor of pancreatic enzymes like trypsin, chymotrypsin and pancreatic elastase. SLPI has also been shown to inhibit HIV-1 infections by blocking viral DNA synthesis. Since SLPI is an inhibitor of pancreatic proteases we wished to investigate whether SLPI was also actually produced in the pancreas. M-RNA from human pancreatic tissue showed evidence of SLPI production using the reverse transcriptase polymer chain reaction technique (RT-PCR). Using immunohistochemical methods SLPI was demonstrated in the beta-cells of the islets of Langerhans. The function could be local protease/antiprotease regulation or antiviral/antibacterial defence in the close vicinity of the cell surface, or even inside the beta-cell itself.
Nyström
M
M
Department of Surgery, Lund University, Sweden.
Bergenfeldt
M
M
Ljungcrantz
I
I
Lindeheim
A
A
Ohlsson
K
K
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D010179:Pancreas / Q000378:metabolism; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D053491:Proteinase Inhibitory Proteins, Secretory; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D053481:Secretory Leukocyte Peptidase Inhibitor; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D053491:Proteinase Inhibitory Proteins, Secretory; D011506:Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C506814:SLPI protein, human; D053481:Secretory Leukocyte Peptidase Inhibitor