Cleaved SLPI, a novel biomarker of chymase activity.
Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) is a protease inhibitor of the whey acidic protein-like family inhibiting chymase, chymotrypsin, elastase, proteinase 3, cathepsin G and tryptase. Performing in vitro enzymatic assays using both Western blotting and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry techniques we showed that, of the proteases known to interact with SLPI, only chymase could uniquely cleave this protein. The peptides of the cleaved SLPI (cSLPI) remain coupled due to the disulfide bonds in the molecule but under reducing conditions the cleavage can be observed as peptide products. Subsequent ex vivo studies confirmed the presence of SLPI in human saliva and its susceptibility to cleavage by chymase. Furthermore, inhibitors of chymase activity are able to inhibit this cleavage. Human saliva from both normal and allergic individuals was analyzed for levels of cSLPI and a correlation between the level of cSLPI and the extent of allergic symptoms was observed, suggesting the application of cSLPI as a biomarker of chymase activity in humans.
Belkowski
Stanley M
SM
Target Validation Team, Johnson and Johnson Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Spring House, PA 19477, USA. sbelkows@prdus.jnj.com
Masucci
John
J
Mahan
Andrew
A
Kervinen
Jukka
J
Olson
Matthew
M
de Garavilla
Lawrence
L
D'Andrea
Michael R
MR
D053818:Chymases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism*; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides / Q000378:metabolism*; D053481:Secretory Leukocyte Peptidase Inhibitor / Q000378:metabolism*
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C506814:SLPI protein, human; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides; D053481:Secretory Leukocyte Peptidase Inhibitor; D053818:Chymases