Alpha-adrenergic regulation of the secretion of an anticomplementary factor in mouse saliva

Mouse saliva contains a potent inhibitor of complement activity. The secretion of this inhibitor appears to be regulated by action on alpha-adrenergic receptors for two reasons. First, an alpha-agonist (norepinephrine) elicited saliva with a 260-fold higher specific activity of the inhibitor than that obtained with a cholinergic agent (pilocarpine). Second, the alpha-agonist elicited saliva having 43-foldgreater specific activity than that obtained following administration of a beta-adrenergic agonist (isoproterenol). This anticomplementary factor probably proteolytically degrades one or more of the complement components since it is inhibited by several protease inhibitors. The salivary anticomplementary factor is more potent than trypsin, chymotrypsin, thrombin, or Kallikrein. The anticomplementary factor has a pattern of inhibition like that of Kallikrein but unlike those of trypsin or chymotrypsin.