激光扫描共聚焦显微镜观察胰蛋白酶对肺上皮细胞游离钙离子的影响

目的：研究PAR-2激动剂SLIGKV和tc-LIGRLO、胰蛋白酶及其抑制剂对H292肺上皮细胞[Ca^2＋]i的影响.方法：应用Fluo-3/AM 荧光标记技术和激光扫描共聚焦显微镜（LSCM） 检测不同因素处理的H292肺上皮细胞[Ca^2＋]i.结果：胰蛋白酶、SLIGKV、tc-LIGRLO均能引发H292细胞[Ca^2＋]i的增加,平均荧光强度分别比加入药物前增加267%,60%和37%.胰蛋白酶抑制剂大豆胰蛋白酶抑制剂（SBTI）和α1-抗胰蛋白酶（α1-AT）可以抑制胰蛋白酶诱导的细胞[Ca^2＋]i的增加.结论：PAR-2可以介导H292肺上皮细胞[Ca^2＋]i的释放增加,胰蛋白酶抑制剂可以抑制胰蛋白酶诱导的细胞[Ca^2＋]i的增加.     

发现一种具有生长激素释放活性的新多肽——hpGRF

新近Guillemin等和Vale等分别报道了两例具有肢端肥大症体征的胰腺瘤患者。他们从胰瘤中各自发现了有44和40个氨基酸组成的能使GH释放的多肽,称之为人胰促生长激素释放因子(hpGRF)。44个氨基酸的序列为:酪-丙-天冬-丙-异亮-苯丙-苏-天冬酰-丝-酪-精-赖-缬-亮-甘-谷氨酰-亮-丝-丙-精-赖-亮-亮-谷-天冬-异亮-甲硫-丝-精-谷-谷-甘-谷-丝-天冬酰-谷-谷-精-甘-丙-精-丙-精-亮-NH_2。Vale报道的GRF含有40个氨基酸,其结构与Guillemin报道的大分子N-端序列相同。该多肽无论在试管内或在整体内均能特异地促使GH释放,但对脑垂体的其它激素,如催乳素、促性腺激素、ACTH和促甲状腺素均无释放效应。     

胰蛋白酶诱导人脐静脉内皮细胞分泌白细胞介素-8

目的:研究胰蛋白酶对IL-8释放的影响。方法:分离、培养人脐静脉内皮细胞(human umbilical vein endothelial cells,HUVECs)、倒置显微镜观察形态变化,流式细胞术检测内皮细胞标志和蛋白酶活化受体-2(proteinase-activated receptor-2,PAR-2)表达,ELISA检测HUVECs培养上清中IL-8水平。结果:HUVECs表达内皮细胞标志和PAR-2。刺激16 h,1 g/ml胰蛋白酶和100M PAR-2激活肽组HUVECs单层均匀性降低。胰蛋白酶能够显著刺激HUVECs释放IL-8,PAR-2激活肽也诱导IL-8水平升高。蛋白酶抑制剂和PAR-2抑制肽均能够显著抑制胰蛋白酶诱导的IL-8释放。PAR-2激活肽和胰蛋白酶诱导升高的IL-8水平之间成正相关性。结论:胰蛋白酶很可能通过PAR-2激活促进血管内皮细胞释放IL-8。     

胰蛋白酶诱导人脐静脉内皮细胞分泌白细胞介素-8

目的：研究胰蛋白酶对IL-8释放的影响。方法：分离、培养人脐静脉内皮细胞（human umbilical vein endothelialcells,HU-VECs）、倒置显微镜观察形态变化,流式细胞术检测内皮细胞标志和蛋白酶活化受体．2（proteinase．activatedreceptor．2,PAR-2）表达,ELISA检测HUVECs培养上清中IL-8水平。结果：HUVECs表达内皮细胞标志和PAR-2。刺激16h,1g／ml胰蛋白酶和100MPAR-2激活肽组HUVECs单层均匀性降低。胰蛋白酶能够显著刺激HUVECs释放IL-8,PAR-2激活肽也诱导IL-8水平升高。蛋白酶抑制剂和PAR-2抑制肽均能够显著抑制胰蛋白酶诱导的IL-8释放。PAR-2激活肽和胰蛋白酶诱导升高的IL-8水平之间成正相关性。结论：胰蛋白酶很可能通过PAR-2激活促进血管内皮细胞释放IL-8。     

实电解质钙可诱发人肥大细胞组胺和类胰蛋白酶分泌

目的: 利用人大肠组织的肥大细胞和肥大细胞激活的体外研究系统,评价实电解质钙(calcium ionophore A23187, CI)诱导肥大细胞释放类胰蛋白酶和组胺的能力和机制.方法: 经酶悬浮的人大肠肥大细胞与CI共同培养后收集上清液,并用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)的方法检测类胰蛋白酶分泌量,用以玻璃纤维为基础的荧光比色法检测组胺释放量.结果: 经过15 min的培养,CI可引起浓度相关性的组胺和类胰蛋白酶释放.其中组胺的最大分泌量比基础分泌量超出了5.3倍以上,而类胰蛋白酶的最大分泌量则比基础分泌量超出了2.8倍以上.CI在浓度高于1.0 μmol/L时引起的组胺释放量明显多于类胰蛋白酶释放量.时间关系曲线显示,CI的作用从加样后10 s开始,6 min后达高峰并至少持续15 min.百日咳毒素和代谢抑制剂均能抑制CI引起的组胺和类胰蛋白酶释放.结论: 人大肠肥大细胞在受到CI刺激时具有释放类胰蛋白酶和组胺的能力,这个过程与肥大细胞膜G蛋白偶联受体的激活有关,并消耗能量.     

在食管癌细胞增殖过程中蛋白酶激活受体-2(PAR-2)对细胞周期蛋白D1(CyclinD1)的调控机制*

目的:探讨在食管癌细胞增殖过程中蛋白酶激活受体-2(PAR-2)影响细胞周期蛋白D1(CyclinD1)的机制。方法:方法:使用食管癌EC109细胞株,实验分为:空白对照组、PAR-2激动组(加入激动剂SLIGKV)、PAR-2反激动组(加入反激动剂VKGILS)、PAR-2 shRNA组(PAR-2shRNA成功转染)和MAPK抑制组(加入阻滞剂PD98059);取对数生长期的细胞,以6×10⁴cells/ml的密度接种于培养瓶中,置于孵育箱中培养24 h后使用PBS清洗3次,更换为无血清的1640培养基培养24 h,之后各实验组按实验设计分别加入所需试剂,每组设置3个复孔,于孵育箱中继续培养24 h,采用RT-PCR法检测PAR-2、ERK1、CyclinD1的mRNA的表达水平;采用Western blot法检测PAR-2、ERK1、p-ERK1、CyclinD1的蛋白表达水平。结果:与空白对照组相比,PAR-2激动组PAR-2mRNA、ERK1 mRNA、和CyclinD1 mRN表达明显升高(P＜0.05),PAR-2、p-ERK1和CyclinD1蛋白表达升高(P＜0.05);PAR-2 shRNA组PAR-2mRNA、ERK1 mRNA和CyclinD1 mRNA表达降低(P＜0.05),PAR-2、p-ERK1和CyclinD1蛋白表达降低(P＜0.05);MAPK抑制组ERK1 mRNA和CyclinD1 mRNA表达明显降低(P＜0.05),p-ERK1和CyclinD1表达降低(P＜0.05)。结论: PAR-2可通过MAPK通路调节CyclinD1的表达从而促进食管癌细胞EC109的增殖。     

益生菌对肠易激综合征小鼠肠道黏膜CRF-R1表达及肠道屏障功能的影响

目的通过观察肠易激综合征(IBS)小鼠模型结肠黏膜肥大细胞上CRF-R1及结肠黏膜PAR-2、Claudin1~4等的表达变化,探讨IBS中应激通过肥大细胞引起肠道屏障功能障碍的可能机制并观察婴儿双歧杆菌的治疗作用。方法 30只雄性Balb/c小鼠随机分为对照组、模型组及婴儿双歧杆菌组。以束缚应激法建立IBS小鼠模型。婴儿双歧杆菌组给予婴儿双歧杆菌灌胃,而对照组及模型组给予等体积生理盐水灌胃。观测腹肌收缩反射(AWR)后处死小鼠。ELISA检测外周血中类胰蛋白酶的表达变化。免疫组织化学分析结肠黏膜CRF、PAR-2、Claudin1、Claudin2、Claudin3、Claudin4的表达情况。免疫荧光双标分析结肠黏膜CRF-R1在肥大细胞的表达情况。RT-PCR检测结肠CRF-R1mRNA的表达情况。结果与对照组相比,模型组小鼠外周血类胰蛋白酶表达量增加;结肠黏膜中CRF、PAR-2、Claudin2表达量、CRF-R1+肥大细胞数目及CRF-R1 mRNA表达量增加,结肠黏膜Claudin1、Claudin3、Claudin4表达量降低,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。婴儿双歧杆菌干预后,该组小鼠外周血中类胰蛋白酶表达量降低;结肠黏膜中CRF、PAR-2、Claudin2表达量、CRF-R1+肥大细胞数目及CRF-R1 mRNA表达量降低,结肠黏膜Claudin1、Claudin3、Claudin4表达量增高,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论 IBS小鼠模型中,婴儿双歧杆菌可以减轻肠道屏障功能障碍,其机制可能与抑制结肠黏膜肥大细胞上CRF-R1的表达而抑制肥大细胞的激活及其免疫因子的释放,从而降低结肠黏膜PAR-2的表达有关。     

脊髓蛛网膜下腔注射脑啡肽类似物引起大鼠血压降低和心率减慢

给戊巴比妥钠麻醉大鼠脊髓蛛网膜下腔注射(1)~δ受体激动剂[D-丙~2)-甲硫脑啡肽酰胺(40,80nmo1),[D-丙~2]-亮脑啡肽(50,100nmol),[D-丙~2,D-亮~5]-脑啡肽酰胺(2.5,10,40nmol)均可使大鼠动脉血压下降,心率减慢,具有剂量-效应关系,并可为阿片受体阻断剂纳洛酮所对抗。(2)k 受体激动剂乙基环唑新(100,500nmol)及中等剂量强啡肽(5nmol)对心血管活动无明显影响,大剂量强啡肽(10nmol)使血压下降,心率无明显改变。(3)μ受体激动剂吗啡(150nmol)和双氢埃托菲(0.1,0.5nmol)对血压和心率均无明显作用。以上结果提示在脊髓水平,内源性阿片样物质的心血管作用主要是通过δ受体实现的,激动δ受体对心血管活动产生抑制性影响。     

血管平滑肌收缩的Ca^2＋信号调节机制

血管平滑肌细胞内Ca^2＋的浓度（[Ca^2＋]i）的变化及胞内收缩蛋白对Ca^2＋的敏感性是影响血管紧张的主要因素。研究表明细胞内Ca^2＋浓度的变化在血管平滑肌细胞的激活中发挥重要作用。在静息状态,细胞内的Ca^2＋浓度主要受膜电位的调节,同时,[Ca^2＋]i也可反馈调节膜电位。在平滑肌细胞内存在多种[Ca^2＋]i调节机制。本文概述了这些机制在调节血管平滑肌紧张中的作用,主要包括：[Ca^2＋]i在血管平滑肌收缩中的作用;环二磷酸腺苷（cADPR）在调节Ca^2＋释放中的作用;cADPR介导的肉桂碱受体的激活在调节平滑肌紧张度中的作用;血管平滑肌细胞的Ca^2＋闪烁和细胞膜Ca^2＋敏感性钾通道的激活;[Ca^2＋]i与膜电位之间的相互作用等。     

苍耳子提取物抗类过敏作用及活性成分筛选的研究

摘要 目的：探讨苍耳子提取物抗类过敏作用及筛选出其中的活性成分。方法：采用测量小鼠脚掌肿胀和组织液渗出,检测小鼠血清中组胺、肿瘤坏死因子-α（tumor necrosis factor-α,TNF-α）、单核细胞趋化因子-1（monocyte chemotactic protein-1,MCP-1）和白细胞介素-8（interleukin-8,IL-8）浓度,检测肥大细胞脱颗粒的方法,观察苍耳子提取物拮抗C48/80诱发的类过敏反应的作用。建立高表达MrgX2/CMC筛选模型,从苍耳子的10种成分中筛选可作用于MrgX2受体的抗类过敏活性成分。结果：苍耳子提取物可减轻C48/80导致的小鼠脚掌肿胀和组织液渗出,降低小鼠血清中组胺、TNF-α、MCP-1和IL-8的含量,抑制肥大细胞脱颗粒（P<0.05）。10种苍耳子成分中筛选出6种有保留成分,其中槲皮素和大黄素可显著抑制肥大细胞释放组胺（P<0.05）。结论：苍耳子提取物可抑制肥大细胞脱颗粒和致敏介质的释放,其成分中槲皮素和大黄素具有潜在的抗类过敏作用。     

Induction of IL-6 release from human T cells by PAR-1 and PAR-2 agonists

Proteinase-activated receptors (PAR) have been recognized as playing an important role in inflammation and immune response. However, little is known of the expression and function of PAR on human T cells. In this study, the expression of PAR on highly purified human T cells was determined and the secretion of IL-6 from cultured T cells in response to serine proteinases and agonist peptides of PAR was examined. The results showed that T cells express PAR-1, PAR-2 and PAR-3 proteins and genes. Thrombin, trypsin and tryptase, but not elastase, were able to stimulate concentration-dependent secretion of IL-6 from T cells following a 16 h incubation period. The specific inhibitors of thrombin, trypsin and tryptase inhibited the actions of these proteinases on T cells, indicating that the enzymatic activity is essential for their actions. Agonist peptides of PAR SFLLR-NH2, TFLLRN-NH2 and SLIGKV-NH2, but not TFRGAP-NH2, GYPGQV-NH2 and AYPGKF-NH2, are also capable of inducing IL-6 release from T cells. In conclusion, induction of IL-6 secretion from T cells by thrombin, trypsin and tryptase is probably through the activation of PAR, suggesting that serine proteinases are involved in the regulation of immune response of the body.     

Localization of Protease-Activated Receptors -1 and -2 in Human Mast Cells: Indications for an Amplified Mast Cell Degranulation Cascade

Protease-activated receptors (PARs) belong to a family of G-coupled seven transmembrane receptors that are activated by a proteolytic cleavage of their N-termini. Recent studies suggest the involvement of protease-activated receptors-1 and -2 (PAR-1, PAR-2) activators in mast cell de-granulation in various physiological and pathophysiological processes in inflammatory responses. Although PAR-1 and PAR-2 activating proteases, thrombin and tryptase, have been associated with mast cell activation, PAR-1 and PAR-2 have not been localized within these cells. We describe here the localization of PAR-1 and PAR-2 in mast cells from various normal human tissues using im-munohistochemical and double immunofluorescence techniques. The presence of these receptors on the membrane may explain the actions of accessible extracellular thrombin and tryptase for mast cell activation. In addition to the membrane labeling, these receptors are also localized on the membrane of the intracellular tryptase-positive granules, which may function to sustain further mast cell degranulation upon exocytosis. The localization of these two receptors in mast cells suggests a novel mechanism for controlling mast cell activation through regulation of PARI and PAR-2.     

Induction of IL-4 release and upregulated expression of protease activated receptors by GM-CSF in P815 cells

GM-CSF has been showed to be able to induce up-regulated receptor and cytokine expression in mast cells in inflammatory conditions. However, little is known of its effects on protease activated receptor (PAR) expression and Th2 cytokine secretion from mast cells. In the present study, we examined potential influence of GM-CSF on mast cell PAR expression and IL-4 and IL-10 release by using flow cytometry analysis, quantitative real time PCR, ELISA and cellular activation of signaling ELISA (CASE) techniques. The results showed that GM-CSF induced up to 3.0-fold increase in IL-4 release from P815 cells, and FSLLRY-NH₂ and trans-cinnamoyl (tc)-YPGKF-NH₂ did not affect GM-CSF induced IL-4 release. GM-CSF reduced tryptase and trypsin induced IL-4 release by up to approximately 55.8% and 70.3%, respectively. GM-CSF elicited the upregulated expression of PAR-1, PAR-2, PAR-3 and PAR-4 mRNAs, but enhanced only PAR-4 protein expression in P815 cells. U0126, PD98059 and LY204002 almost completely abolished GM-CSF induced IL-4 release when they were preincubated with P815 cells for 30 min, indicating ERK and Akt cell signaling pathways may be involved in the event. In conclusion, GM-CSF can stimulate IL-4 release from mast cells through an ERK and Akt cell signaling pathway dependent, but PAR independent mechanism. GM-CSF may serve as a regulator for IL-4 production in mast cells and through which participates in the mast cell related inflammation.     

PAR-2 activation,PGE2, and COX-2 in human asthmatic and nonasthmatic airway smooth muscle cells

The protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) is present on human airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells and can be activated by mast cell tryptase, trypsin, or an activating peptide (AP). Trypsin induced significant increases in PGE2 release from human ASM cells after 6 and 24 h and also induced cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 mRNA expression and COX-2 protein. Tryptase and the PAR-2 AP did not alter PGE2 release or COX-2 protein levels, suggesting a lack of PAR-2 involvement. When we compared results in asthmatic and nonasthmatic muscle cells, both trypsin and bradykinin induced less PGE2 from asthmatic ASM cells, and bradykinin induced significantly less COX-2 mRNA in asthmatic cells. Significantly less PGE2 was released from proliferating ASM cells from asthmatic patients. In conclusion, trypsin induces PGE2 release and COX-2 in human ASM cells, which is unlikely to be via PAR-2 activation. In addition, ASM cells from asthmatic patients produce significantly less PGE2 and COX-2 compared with nonasthmatic cells. These findings may contribute to the increase in muscle mass evident in asthmatic airways.     

Mast cell tryptase stimulates human lung fibroblast proliferation via protease-activated receptor-2

Mast cells play a potentially important role in fibroproliferative diseases, releasing mediators including tryptase that are capable of stimulating fibroblast proliferation and procollagen synthesis. The mechanism by which tryptase stimulates fibroblast proliferation is unclear, although recent studies suggest it can activate protease-activated receptor (PAR)-2. We therefore investigated the role of PAR-2 in tryptase-induced proliferation of human fetal lung and adult lung parenchymal and airway fibroblasts and, for comparative purposes, adult dermal fibroblasts. Tryptase (0.7-70 mU/ml) induced concentration-dependent increases in proliferation of all fibroblasts studied. Antipain, bis(5-amidino-2-benzimidazolyl)methane, and benzamidine inhibited tryptase-induced fibroblast proliferation, demonstrating that proteolytic activity is required for the proliferative effects of tryptase. RT-PCR demonstrated the presence of PAR-2 mRNA, and immunohistochemical staining localized PAR-2 to the cell surface of lung fibroblasts. In addition, specific PAR-2 activating peptides, SLIGKV and SLIGRL, mimicked the proliferative effects of tryptase. In contrast, human dermal fibroblasts only weakly stained with the PAR-2 antibody, PAR-2 mRNA was almost undetectable, and fibroblasts did not respond to PAR-2 activating peptides. These results suggest that tryptase induces lung, but not dermal, fibroblast proliferation via activation of PAR-2 and are consistent with the hypothesis that the release of tryptase from activated mast cells may play an important role in the fibroproliferative response observed in asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and patients with pulmonary fibrosis.     

Involvement of proteinase-activated receptor-2 in mast cell tryptase-induced barrier dysfunction in bovine aortic endothelial cells

We report here a direct modulation by mast cell tryptase of endothelial barrier function through activation of proteinase-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2). In cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs), tryptase, trypsin and PAR-2 activating peptide impaired the barrier function as determined by the permeability of protein-conjugated Evans blue. The tryptase-induced barrier dysfunction was completely blocked by U73122, and partially reversed by xestospongin C, calphostin C or Y27632. The intracellular Ca(2+) was elevated by tryptase. It was notable that ioxaglate, a contrast material that degranulates mast cells, markedly increased the permeability when applied to BAECs in combination with mast cells, an action that was blocked by nafamostat, a potent tryptase inhibitor. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that actin stress fibre formation and disruption of VE-cadherin were observed after exposure to tryptase or ioxaglate in combination with mast cells. Therefore, it is suggested that mast cell tryptase impairs endothelial barrier function through activation of endothelial PAR-2 in a manner dependent on the phospholipase C activity.     

Tryptase promotes human monocyte-derived macrophage foam cell formation by suppressing LXRα activation

Accumulated mast cells in atherosclerotic plaques secrete a high level of tryptase that may participate in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic disease by diverse pathways. However, the role of tryptase in the lipid metabolism of macrophages remains to be defined. In the present study, we found that the addition of tryptase into THP-1-derived macrophages increased both intracellular lipid accumulation and total cholesterol level. Tryptase promoting foam cell formation was also observed by transmission electron microscope. These effects were resisted by APC366, a selective inhibitor of mast cell tryptase. Tryptase dramatically resisted 22RHC induced activation of LXRα protein expression, which can be reversed by SAM-11 (a PAR-2-specific neutralizing antibody) and reduced LXRα, ABCG1, ABCA1 and SREBP-1c mRNA levels and ABCG1 protein level, which were all blocked by APC366. PAR-2 agonist also redeemed 22RHC stimulation to activate LXRα, ABCG1 protein expression, and mRNA levels of LXRα and its target genes in both THP-1-derived macrophages and primary human monocyte-derived macrophages. In primary macrophages that were first transfected with PAR-2 siRNA and then treated with tryptase, both the ABCG1 protein level and mRNA levels of LXRα and ABCG1 were higher than those in the control siRNA-treated cells. Taken together, our data clarified the PAR-2 expression of human macrophages and suggested that tryptase might promote lipid accumulation in macrophages and foam cell formation by suppressing LXRα activation via PAR-2/LXRα/LXRα target genes signaling pathway. This investigation sheds a new light on the role of tryptase in foam cell formation and pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.     

Modulation of PAR expression and tryptic enzyme induced IL-4 production in mast cells by IL-29

Interleukin (IL)-29 is a relatively newly discovered cytokine, which has been shown to be actively involved in the pathogenesis of allergic inflammation. However, little is known of the effects of IL-29 on protease activated receptor (PAR) expression and potential mechanisms of cytokine production in mast cells. In the present study, we examined potential influence of IL-29 on PAR expression and cytokine production in P815 and bone marrow derived mast cells (BMMCs) by using flow cytometry analysis, quantitative real time PCR, and ELISA techniques. The results showed that IL-29 downregulated the expression of PAR-1 by up to 56.2%, but had little influence on the expression of PAR-2, PAR-3 and PAR-4. IL-29 also induced downregulation of expression of PAR-1 mRNA. However, when mast cells were pre-incubated with IL-29, thrombin-, trypsin- and tryptase-induced expression of PAR-2, PAR-3 and PAR-4 was upregulated, respectively. IL-29 provoked approximately up to 1.9-fold increase in IL-4 release when mast cells was challenged with IL-29. Administration of IL-29 blocking antibody, AG490 or LY294002 abolished IL-29-induced IL-4 release from P815 cells. It was found that IL-29 diminished trypsin- and tryptase-induced IL-4 release from P815 cells following 16 h incubation. In conclusion, IL-29 can regulate expression of PARs and tryptase- and trypsin-induced IL-4 production in mast cells, through which participates in the mast cell related inflammation.     

Induction of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 release from A549 cells by agonists of protease-activated receptor-1 and -2

Hypersecretion of cytokines and serine proteases has been observed in asthma. However, the influence of proteases and protease-activated receptors (PARs) on monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) release from airway epithelial cells remains largely unknown. In the present study, A549 cells were challenged with agonists of PARs, and levels of MCP-1 released in the supernatant and mRNA expression were examined by ELISA and real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), respectively. The results show that thrombin, tryptase, elastase and trypsin induced an up to 6.5-, 1.8-, 1.6-, and 3.1-fold increase in MCP-1 release from A549 cells, respectively, following a 16-h incubation period. The protease-induced secretion of MCP-1 can be abolished by specific protease inhibitors. Agonist peptides of PAR-1 and PAR-2 stimulate MCP-1 secretion up to 15- and 12.7-fold, respectively. Real-time PCR showed that MCP-1 mRNA is up-regulated by the serine proteases tested and by agonist peptides of PAR-1 and PAR-2. In conclusion, serine proteases can stimulate MCP-1 release from A549 cells possibly through a PARs-related mechanism, suggesting that they are likely to contribute to MCP-1-related airway inflammatory disorders in man.     

Human Tryptase Cleaves Pro-Nerve Growth Factor (Pro-NGF): HINTS OF LOCAL,MAST CELL-DEPENDENT REGULATION OF NGF/PRO-NGF ACTION*

Several factors regulate nerve growth factor (NGF), which is formed from pro-NGF by intracellular and extracellular enzymatic cleavage. The close proximity between mast cells expressing the protease tryptase and NGF-producing smooth muscle-like peritubular cells in the testes of infertile patients led us to examine whether tryptase is among those factors. Human peritubular cells express functional tryptase receptors (PAR-2). Recombinant enzymatically active β-tryptase increased NGF levels in the culture medium of primary human peritubular cells, but the peptide agonist for PAR-2 (SLIGKV) did not. Neither tryptase nor the peptide increased NGF mRNA levels. To test whether the increase in NGF is due to enzymatic activity of tryptase acting on pro-NGF, supernatants of peritubular cells and synthetic pro-NGF were treated with tryptase. Results of Western blot studies indicate enzymatic cleavage of pro-NGF by active tryptase. Heat-inactivated tryptase or SLIGKV was not effective. Mass spectrometry analysis of in vitro cleavage products from recombinant tryptase and synthetic pro-NGF revealed multiple cleavage sites within the pro-NGF sequence. The results also indicate the generation of mature NGF and smaller NGF fragments as a result of tryptase action. Thus, tryptase-secreting mast cells in the vicinity of pro-NGF/NGF-secreting cells in any human tissue are likely able to alter the ratios of pro-NGF/NGF. As NGF and pro-NGF have different affinities for their receptors, this indicates a novel way by which mast cells, via tryptase, can modify the microenvironment in human tissues with regard to neurotrophin actions.