Abstract
In response to inflammatory mediators, polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) are activated and release potent serine proteases, i.e. elastase, cathepsin G and proteinase 3. The aim of this study was to develop an assay to determine PMNmediated fibrinogenolysis in plasma, as a biochemical marker for activated PMN in vivo. On the basis of a special monoclonal antibody, generated against a neo-antigenic site in elastase degraded fibrinogen (EOF), we developed a highly specific plasma test for PMN-generated fibrin(ogen) derivatives. Intact fibrin(ogen) did not cross react in the assay, nor did plasmin-generated fibrin(ogen) derivatives. With this assay we showed, amongst others, that smoking did not affect the values of EDF-like degradation products in plasma of normal healthy volunteers (overall 8.2±1.6 ng/ml; n= 18) and that EDF-values are increased in patients with an ccl-proteinase inhibitor deficiency (18.6±5.3 ng/ml; n=12) and with sepsis (365.7±198.4 ng/ml; n=16). The assay was also applied to assess PMN-mediated fibrinogenolysis in synovial tissue extracts of patients with rheumatoid arthritis; these contained very high levels of EDF (98.2±59.3 ng/ml; n=15), in contrast to synovial tissue extracts of patients with osteoarthritis (6.3±2.7 ng/ml; n=12). The assay may be useful to identify patients with activated PMN, and to monitor drug-efficacy during therapy. This study was partly supported by grants from the Dutch Asthma Foundation (NAF 91.39 and 93.73) and the Praeventiefonds (002819180). © Pearson Professional Ltd 1996.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.