Human neutrophil elastase inhibitors in innate and adaptive immunity.
Recent evidence shows that human neutrophil elastase inhibitors can be synthesized locally at mucosal sites. In addition to efficiently targeting bacterial and host enzymes, they can be released in the interstitium and in the lumen of mucosa, where they have been shown to have antimicrobial activities, and to activate innate immune responses. This review will address more particularly the pleiotropic functions of low-molecular-mass neutrophil elastase inhibitors [SLPI (secretory leucocyte proteinase inhibitor) and elafin] and, more specifically, their role in the development of the adaptive immune response.
MRC Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, The Queens Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, Scotland, UK.
P M
PM
Fitch
A
A
Roghanian
S E M
SE
Howie
J-M
JM
Sallenave
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity / Q000276:immunology*; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000276:immunology*; D019272:Leukocyte Elastase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D053491:Proteinase Inhibitory Proteins, Secretory; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D053481:Secretory Leukocyte Peptidase Inhibitor
D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D053491:Proteinase Inhibitory Proteins, Secretory; D011506:Proteins; C506814:SLPI protein, human; D053481:Secretory Leukocyte Peptidase Inhibitor; D019272:Leukocyte Elastase