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Updated: Sep 14, 2025

Monitoring Neutrophil Elastase and Cathepsin G Activity in Human Sputum Samples
Published on: May 21, 2021
Cathepsin S: molecular mechanisms in inflammatory and immunological processes
Huan Gao1,2, Zirui Zhang1, Jiayu Deng3
1College of Pharmacy, Jilin University, Changchun, Changchun, China.
None:
Cathepsin S (CTSS), a lysosomal cysteine protease predominantly expressed in immune cells, governs inflammatory and immunological cascades through proteolytic activity. Beyond maintaining lysosomal proteostasis through protein degradation, CTSS executes dual immunomodulatory functions: intracellularly processing antigen-presenting molecules and modulating inflammatory signaling cascades; extracellularly activating protease-activated receptors (PARs) and remodeling the extracellular matrix (ECM). Its dysregulation drives pathology in autoimmune disorders, chronic inflammation, and neoplasia, establishing CTSS as a multifaceted therapeutic target. This review comprehensively explores the contributions of CTSS signaling in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, critically evaluates its therapeutic potential, highlighting its significance in the development of innovative treatment strategies.
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