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ENZYMES AND ANTI-ENZYMES OF INFLAMMATORY EXUDATES
1Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research, New York.
The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|October 30, 2009
Summary
Blood serum inhibits leukocyte proteolytic enzymes, a key anti-enzymotic action in inflammation. This inhibitory power, present in inflammatory exudates, diminishes in later stages and is heat-sensitive.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Inflammatory exudates contain proteolytic enzymes from leukocytes.
- Blood serum possesses anti-enzymotic properties that inhibit these leukocyte enzymes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the anti-enzymotic activity of serum against leukocyte proteolytic ferments.
- To determine the factors affecting this anti-enzymotic action, including temperature and pH.
Main Methods:
- Assessing the inhibitory effect of serum on proteolytic ferments from leukocytes.
- Evaluating the impact of heat (75°C) and varying pH (acidic and alkaline) on serum's anti-enzymotic activity.
Main Results:
- Serum effectively inhibits leukocyte proteolytic ferments, with this power transferring from blood serum to exudates.
- Anti-enzymotic activity decreases in later stages of inflammation.
- The inhibitory antibody is denatured at 75°C.
- Leukocyte proteolytic ferments function optimally in alkaline conditions.
- Serum's anti-enzymotic action is enhanced in alkaline conditions but lost in acidic environments.
Conclusions:
- Blood serum plays a crucial role in regulating leukocyte proteolytic enzyme activity during inflammation.
- The anti-enzymotic capacity of serum is sensitive to temperature and pH, highlighting specific conditions for its efficacy.
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