Abstract
DESTRUCTION of collagen-containing structures occurs in those inflammatory disease states which are characterised by the infiltration of large numbers of granulocytic leukocytes1. The degradation of collagen fibrils is probably mediated by a specific mammalian collagenase, since native collagen at physiological pH and temperature is resistant to hydrolysis by other proteolytic enzymes2. Active collagenase initially identified in culture fluids of tadpole tail3 has since been demonstrated in cultures of human skin4, gingiva5, and rheumatoid synovium6. Furthermore, collagenase has been demonstrated in human rheumatoid synovial fluid and extracted directly from human granulocytic leukocytes7,8. Recently, an inactive collagenase precursor was extracted from human leukocytes9. We now report that a collagenase precursor is liberated in large quantity from viable cells during phagocytosis of aggregated human γ globulin (AHGG). In addition, we show that the neutrophil is the principal source of this proenzyme, with only small amounts present in lymphocytes or lymphoblasts. The proenzyme can be activated by trypsin or rheumatoid synovial fluids but not by osteoarthritic synovial fluid.
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ORONSKY, A., PERPER, R. & SCHRODER, H. Phagocytic Release and Activation of Human Leukocyte Procollagenase. Nature 246, 417–419 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1038/246417a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/246417a0
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