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Alpha-1-antitrypsin is present in the specific granules of human eosinophilic granulocytes

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Author

Summary, in English

Eosinophils may be found at sites of inflammation, for example in asthma, allergy and helminthic infestation, but their role in human inflammatory disease is unclear. In the present study, we investigated the presence of alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT), a serine proteinase inhibitor, in human eosinophils. When lysates of highly purified eosinophils were subjected to Western blotting, with a chemiluminescent substrate, immunoreactive bands were seen. An ELISA was developed to measure the AAT content, which was found to be about 100 ng/5 x 106 eosinophils, about 50 ng/5 x 106 neutrophils, and about 25 ng/5 x 106 monocytes. Immunoelectron microscopy showed localization of AAT to the specific granules of eosinophils. During prolonged incubation of eosinophils, no significant increase in the total amount of AAT could be detected by ELISA. However, there was an increased level of AAT in the medium, in parallel with a decrease in the intracellular AAT content, suggesting release of preformed AAT. Apparent complex formation between iodinated elastase and AAT in eosinophil lysates provided evidence that the AAT is functionally active. On the basis of these findings it is suggested that by releasing AAT, eosinophils may, in a microenvironment, play a role in counteracting the tissue damage caused by serine proteinases released by neutrophils in inflammatory conditions.

Department/s

Publishing year

2001

Language

English

Pages

379-386

Publication/Series

Clinical and Experimental Allergy

Volume

31

Issue

3

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Wiley

Topic

  • Respiratory Medicine and Allergy

Keywords

  • granules
  • inflammation
  • eosinophils
  • alpha-1-antitrypsin
  • serpins
  • asthma

Status

Published

Research group

  • Clinical Chemistry, Malmö
  • Chronic Inflammatory and Degenerative Diseases Research Unit

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1365-2222