Tailor-made inflammation: how neutrophil serine proteases modulate the inflammatory response

J Mol Med (Berl). 2011 Jan;89(1):23-8. doi: 10.1007/s00109-010-0677-3. Epub 2010 Aug 31.

Abstract

Neutrophil granulocytes are important mediators of innate immunity, but also participate in the pathogenesis of (auto)inflammatory diseases. Neutrophils express a specific set of proteolytic enzymes, the neutrophil serine proteases (NSPs), which are stored in cytoplasmic granules and can be secreted into the extra- and pericellular space upon cellular activation. These NSPs, namely cathepsin G (CG), neutrophil elastase (NE), and proteinase 3 (PR3), have early been implicated in bacterial defense. However, NSPs also regulate the inflammatory response by specifically altering the function of cytokines and chemokines. For instance, PR3 and NE both inactivate the anti-inflammatory mediator progranulin, which may play a role in chronic inflammation. Here, we provide a concise update on NSPs as modulators of inflammation and discuss the biological and pathological significance of this novel function of NSPs. Mounting evidence support an important proinflammatory function for PR3, which may have been underestimated in the past.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Chemokines / immunology
  • Inflammation / enzymology*
  • Neutrophils / enzymology*
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / immunology
  • Serine Proteases / immunology*
  • Serine Proteases / metabolism*

Substances

  • Chemokines
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Serine Proteases