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Updated: Oct 3, 2025

A Colorimetric Assay that Specifically Measures Granzyme B Proteolytic Activity: Hydrolysis of Boc-Ala-Ala-Asp-S-Bzl
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Granzymes: The Molecular Executors of Immune-Mediated Cytotoxicity

Zachary L Z Hay1, Jill E Slansky1

  • 1Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|February 15, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes release granzymes to induce target cell death. This review details granzyme function, structure, and role in cancer and inflammatory diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), a type of CD8+ T cell, are crucial for adaptive immunity.
  • CTLs employ various mechanisms, including granule exocytosis, to eliminate target cells.
  • Granzymes, serine proteases within these granules, are key mediators of CTL-induced cytotoxicity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of granzyme structure and processing.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms of granzyme-induced cell death.
  • To discuss the role of granzymes in cancer and inflammatory diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing research on granzymes.
  • Analysis of granzyme structure-function relationships.
  • Examination of granzyme expression and regulation in T cells.

Main Results:

  • Granzymes exhibit diverse substrate specificities, leading to distinct cellular outcomes.
  • Granzyme expression is dynamically regulated by T cell activation and microenvironment.
  • Specific granzymes play critical roles in initiating apoptosis and other cell death pathways.

Conclusions:

  • Granzymes are essential effectors of CTL-mediated cytotoxicity.
  • Understanding granzyme pathways offers therapeutic potential for cancer and inflammatory conditions.
  • The dynamic nature of granzyme expression highlights its adaptability in immune responses.
Keywords:
T cellcell deathcytotoxicitygranzymeimmunogenic cell deathtumor-infiltrating lymphocytes

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