Neutrophil elastase-mediated killing of bacteria: lessons from targeted mutagenesis.
Engineering of mice deficient in neutrophil elastase (NE) has allowed us to demonstrate the role of this protease in host defense against bacteria and to begin to understand its killing mechanism. Strategies to inhibit NE because of its involvement in tissue-destructive diseases should be reconsidered, while preserving its beneficial properties.
Belaaouaj
Abderrazzaq
A
Department of Medicine (Pulmonary Division), Washington University School of Medicine, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, 660 S Euclid Avenue, Campus Box #8052, St Louis MO 63110, USA. belaaouaja@msnotes.wustl.edu
D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D019272:Leukocyte Elastase / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D016296:Mutagenesis; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology / Q000502:physiology*; D010588:Phagosomes / Q000382:microbiology*
D019272:Leukocyte Elastase