title: Expression of Cathepsins B, D, and G in Infantile Hemangioma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The role of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in the biology of infantile hemangioma (IH) represents an emerging paradigm, particularly the involvement of renin, angiotensin converting enzyme, and angiotensin II. This study investigated the expression of cathepsins B, D, and G, enzymes that may modulate the RAS, in IH.
  
  
  METHODS
  The expression of cathepsins B, D, and G was examined using immunohistochemistry, enzyme activity assays, mass spectrometry, and NanoString gene expression assay in IH samples at different phases of development.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Immunohistochemical staining showed the expression of cathepsins B, D, and G in proliferating and involuted IH samples. This was confirmed at the transcriptional level using NanoString gene expression assays. Mass spectrometry confirmed the identification of cathepsins D and G in all three phases of IH development, whereas cathepsin B was detected in 2/2 proliferating and 1/2 involuting lesions. Enzyme activity assays demonstrated the activity of cathepsins B and D, but not G, in all phases of IH development.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data demonstrated the presence of cathepsins B, D, and G in IH. Their role in modulating the RAS and the biology of IH offers potential novel targets for the management of this tumor.
authors.affiliation: Gillies McIndoe Research Institute , Wellington , New Zealand.
authors.forename: Tinte
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Itinteang
authors.affiliation: Gillies McIndoe Research Institute , Wellington , New Zealand.
authors.forename: Daria A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Chudakova
authors.affiliation: Gillies McIndoe Research Institute , Wellington , New Zealand ; Centre for Biodiscovery, School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington , Wellington , New Zealand.
authors.forename: Jonathan C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Dunne
authors.affiliation: Gillies McIndoe Research Institute , Wellington , New Zealand.
authors.forename: Paul F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.affiliation: Gillies McIndoe Research Institute , Wellington , New Zealand ; Centre for the Study & Treatment of Vascular Birthmarks, Wellington Regional Plastic, Maxillofacial and Burns Unit, Hutt Hospital , Wellington , New Zealand.
authors.forename: Swee T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Tan
keywords: angiotensin converting enzyme; cathepsin; infantile hemangioma; paracrine; renin–angiotensin system