Ym1 is a neutrophil granule protein that crystallizes in p47phox-deficient mice

Crystals were discovered within the aged lung and at sites of chronic inflammation in a mouse model of chronic granulomatous disease. Following re-crystallization at neutral pH, the crystals were identified as the chitinase-like protein Ym1, expressed in organs of the lymphoreticular system, the lung, and distal stomach. Ym1 was shown to be a neutrophil granule protein and to have weak beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase activity, indicating that it might contribute to the digestion of glycosaminoglycans. Crystal formation is likely to be a function of excess neutrophil turnover at sites of inflammation in the chronic granulomatous disease mouse. Failure to remove subcutaneous Ym1 crystals injected into knockout mice indicates that a failure of digestion may also contribute to crystallization.