Granzymes in age-related cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases.
Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of age-related cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases. Granzymes are a family of serine proteases that have been traditionally viewed as initiators of immune-mediated cell death. However, recent findings suggest that the pathophysiological role of granzymes is complex. Emerging functions for granzymes in extracellular matrix degradation, autoimmunity, and inflammation suggests a multifactorial mechanism by which these enzymes are capable of mediating tissue damage. Recent discoveries showing that granzymes can be produced and secreted by nonimmune cells during disease provide an additional layer of intricacy. This review examines the emerging biochemical and clinical evidence pertaining to intracellular and/or extracellular granzymes in the pathogenesis of aging and cardiopulmonary diseases.
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Providence Heart+Lung Institute, St. Paul's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
A
A
Hendel
P R
PR
Hiebert
W A
WA
Boivin
S J
SJ
Williams
D J
DJ
Granville
D000375:Aging / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001980:Bronchi / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D053804:Granzymes / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology
D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D053804:Granzymes