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PubMed1994

Human mast cell tryptase activates single-chain urinary-type plasminogen activator (pro-urokinase).

Human lung mast cell tryptase is a trypsin-like serine proteinase that is stored in mast cell granules and released by activated mast cells. Here we report that mast cell tryptase is a potent activator of single-chain urinary-type plasminogen activator (scu-PA, or prourokinase), the zymogen form of urinary-type plasminogen activator (u-PA). Activation was complete within 75 min using an enzyme:substrate molar ratio of 1:50 and was accompanied by cleavage of scu-PA at Lys158-Ile159, generating active two-chain u-PA. The reaction was dependent on enzyme concentration and obeyed Michaelis-Menten kinetics. Kinetic constants calculated for scu-PA activation by mast cell tryptase are Km = 34 microM, Vmax = 3.6 pmol of u-PA/min, and kcat = 0.08 s-1. These data suggest that tryptase from tumor-associated mast cells may participate in the activation of scu-PA.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

[When the fluoro-immuno-enzymatic (FEIA) measurements turn out to be more sensitive than radioimmunologic (RIA) measurements. Application to the measurement of serum tryptase].

The measurement of Tryptase by the Fluoro-Immuno-Enzymatic (FEIA) method is nowadays possible on the Pharmacia CAP system (automatic UniCAP). This measurement is more comprehensive as it measures the release of serum tryptase from both the tissue mastocytes (MCTC) as well as the mucosal mastocytes (MCM). Technically the measurements are comparable with those made by the method of radio-immunology (RIA), are absolutely reproducible and surprisingly at 100%. It has also been possible to evaluate the two techniques of FEIA and RIA on negative and positive pools. This new FEIA technique for serum tryptase is applicable: to anaphylactic and/or anaphylactoid accidents at the time of induction of anesthesia, in general conditions such as haemorrhagic recto colitis (RCH), Crohn's disease, and mastocytosis. Finally these measurements can be used during nasal and bronchial provocation tests, as the measurements may be made on nasal and bronchial lavage liquids. The sensitivity and the very good reproducibility of this new technique of FEIA for tryptase is of very great interest and avoids use of radio-active isotopes.

Anaphylaxis↗
PubMed1998

[Tryptase levels are elevated during spontaneous ischemic episodes in unstable angina but not after the ergonovine test in variant angina].

Activated mast cells are present in human coronary atheromas, as well as in the adventitia of patients with variant angina, and may play an important role in plaque rupture and coronary vasomotion. To assess whether or not activation of mast cells is a primary event, we measured serum levels of tryptase, a specific marker of mast cell activation, in 8 patients with unstable angina during a spontaneous ischemic episode (Group 1) and in 5 patients with variant angina (Group 2) during ergonovine-induced coronary spasm. Blood samples were collected as soon as possible after the onset of pain and ECG changes (0 min), and after 5, 15 and 60 min. Tryptase levels in Group 1 were 0.13 U/l (range 0.017-0.44) at the onset of pain and significantly raised to 0.75 U/l (range 0.05-2.49) at 5 min, decreasing to 0.076 U/l (range 0.018-0.16) at 15 min and to 0.085 U/l (range 0.01-0.25) at 60 min (p = 0.035). Conversely, tryptase levels in Group 2 were 0.09 U/l (range 0.07-0.13) at 0 min, 0.11 U/l (range 0.07-0.22) at 5 min, 0.10 U/l (range 0.07-0.18) at 15 min, 0.11 U/l (range 0.07-0.17) at 60 min (NS). In conclusion, tryptase levels raise during spontaneous ischemic episodes in unstable angina, but not after ergonovine-provoked ischemia in variant angina, suggesting that a primary, yet unknown stimulus, may activate mast cells during some ischemic episodes in unstable angina.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

Interaction of human low molecular weight kininogen with human mast cell tryptase.

The capacity of purified tryptase, the major neutral tryptic protease of human lung mast cells, to serve as a kininogenase was examined with purified human low molecular weight kininogen (LMWK) as the substrate. Incubating of 25 mug of tryptase with LMWK for 2 to 30 minutes, with or without heparin, yielded no net time-dependent kinin release as determined on the estrous rat uterus. The 0.4 mug of kinin seen represented less than 10% of that released from excess LMWK by 5 mug of human urinary kallikrein in 5 min. Incubation at pH 5.5 with or without heparin did not significantly alter this result. LMWK did not appear by SDS-PAGE to be cleaved by tryptase either in the presence or absence of heparin. In contrast to its action on HMWK, tryptase did not extensively cleave LMWK, or destroy its reactivity with kallikrein.

Heparin↗
PubMed1991

Evaluation of mast cell activation (tryptase) in two patients suffering from drug-induced hypotensoid reactions.

Tryptase is predominantly found in mast cells, where it resides in secretory granules, and is released with other mediators during mast cell degranulation. By using a newly developed commercial assay for measurements of tryptase levels we have investigated two cases of suspected drug-induced anaphylaxis. Each patient had a similar clinical presentation, consisting of hypotension and cyanosis after administration of thiopentone and suxamethonium. One of the patients showed a highly elevated serum level of tryptase reaching 26 micrograms/l 30 min after the initial reaction. In addition, slightly elevated levels of specific IgE antibodies to thiopentone were detected. The other patient with similar symptoms showed no increase in the level of tryptase, nor any specific IgE to thiopentone or suxamethonium. These data indicate the patient I suffered from true anaphylaxis, whereas the reaction of patient II occurred by a different mechanism.

Anaphylaxis↗
PubMed1988

Purification and identification of two serine class proteinases from dog mast biochemically and immunologically similar to human proteinases tryptase and chymase.

Serine class proteinases with trypsin-like and chymotrypsin-like specificity were purified from dog mastocytoma tissue. An antiserum was produced against the chymotrypsin-like proteinase. The antiserum reacted with mast cells in skin sections prepared from normal dogs consistent with the proteinase being a mast cell constituent. The antiserum also cross-reacted with the major chymotrypsin-like proteinase isolated from normal dog skin and partially cross-reacted with human skin chymase. No cross-reaction was detected with rat chymase. The trypsin-like proteinase from dog mastocytoma tissue was similar to tryptase isolated from human skin. It had a similar subunit structure, was not inhibited by many protein proteolytic enzyme inhibitors, bound to heparin, and reacted strongly with antiserum against human tryptase. Antiserum against human tryptase also reacted with mast cells in skin sections prepared from normal dog skin. No immunocytochemical labeling of rat skin mast cells was observed with anti-human tryptase. These studies establish the presence of a trypsin-like and chymotrypsin-like proteinase in dog skin mast cells and provide immunological evidence which suggests that both proteinases are more closely related to human than rat mast cell proteinases. These immunological and biochemical relationships are important when comparing the roles of these proteinases in different animals.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Human lung mast cell tryptase fails to activate procollagenase or degrade proteoglycan.

Pig synovial and human skin fibroblast procollagenases were treated with highly purified tryptase, the major proteinase of human mast cells, to determine whether this trypsin-like proteinase could activate the latent form of collagenase and so be involved in connective tissue breakdown. No significant activation of either human or pig procollagenase was found, but the highest concentration of tryptase partially destroyed procollagenase. Tryptase did not degrade type I collagen or proteoglycan. These data indicate that human mast cell tryptase does not contribute to connective tissue breakdown via procollagenase activation or via proteoglycan degradation.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Tryptase from rat mast cells converts bovine prothrombin to thrombin.

The effect of tryptase purified from rat peritoneal mast cells on bovine prothrombin was examined. Tryptase activated prothrombin, as evidenced by the increase in thrombin activity with a synthetic substrate, t-butyloxy-carbonyl-Val-Pro-Arg-4-methylcoumaryl-7-amide. The apparent Km value toward bovine prothrombin and the kcat value were 2.3 microM and 46.3 s-1, respectively. Studies on the time course of prothrombin activation by tryptase and by activated factor X (Xa), and analysis of the activation products on sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis showed that the process of activation of prothrombin by tryptase was similar to that by Xa except that an intermediate of 67,000 daltons was formed.

Alpha-Globulins↗
PubMed1985

The effect of tryptase from human mast cells on human prekallikrein.

Tryptase, the dominant protease in human mast cells, was examined for its effect on human prekallikrein. Tryptase in the presence and absence of heparin failed to activate prekallikrein as shown in a spectrophotometric assay for kallikrein employing benzoy 1-pro-phe-arg-p-nitroanilide. Treated prekallikrein was converted to active kallikrein by bovine trypsin. Prekallikrein cleavage products were analyzed by electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels under denaturing conditions (+/- reduction). Tryptase caused no apparent cleavage under conditions where trypsin caused complete cleavage. Thus, tryptase, which has previously been shown to lack kallikrein and kininase activities, neither activates nor destroys prekallikrein.

Enzyme Activation↗
PubMed1985

Localization of tryptase to human cutaneous mast cells and keratinocytes by immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase cytochemistry with monoclonal antitryptase antibody.

A monoclonal antibody (H4) against tryptase purified from human pulmonary mast cells was prepared and used as an immunoreactive marker for the cellular localization of tryptase in normal human skin and in lesional skin from subjects with systemic mastocytosis. Mast cells had characteristic metachromatic staining of cytoplasmic granules with Giemsa reagent and were detected in small numbers about superficial vessels in the papillary dermis of nonlesional skin and in large numbers about deep as well as superficial vessels of lesional skin. By both direct immunofluorescence with fluorescein isothiocyanate-H4 and indirect immunoperoxidase cytochemistry with H4, all mast cells were selectively stained. The reactivity was confined to the cytoplasm and was granular in character. In addition, keratinocytes in epidermal tissue and in cell suspensions stained diffusely with H4 antibody. A tryptase-like activity that cleaved tosyl-L-arginine methyl ester (0.003 U/10(6) cells) and was not inhibited by soy bean and lima bean trypsin inhibitors was detected in sonicated suspensions of purified epidermal keratinocytes. Monoclonal antitryptase antibody represents an immunologic probe for the presence of tryptase, a preformed mediator of human mast cells, in tissues and cells.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Tryptase levels in nasal-lavage fluid as an indicator of the immediate allergic response.

To examine mast cell involvement in allergic rhinitis, levels of tryptase, a specific marker for mast cell activation, and histamine, a marker of mast cell and basophil activation, were measured in nasal-lavage fluid after nasal-allergen challenge. Twelve atopic subjects with allergic rhinitis and five nonatopic subjects were challenged with timothy grass or ragweed pollen at increasing doses of allergen. Tryptase and histamine levels were determined by an ELISA and radioenzyme assay, respectively; clinical responses were measured by assessment of sneezing, rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, and ocular tearing or itching. A positive clinical response was observed in seven of the atopic subjects and in none of the nonatopic subjects. Tryptase levels increased at least sevenfold higher than baseline levels in 100% of the atopic clinical responders and reached a maximum at the same dose of allergen where clinical symptoms were maximal. In contrast, histamine levels were only threefold or greater elevated in five of seven atopic clinical responders at this dose of allergen. (Histamine levels were lower in one subject and were only 50% higher in another subject than the corresponding baseline value.) Histamine levels and symptom scores were maximal at the same dose of allergen in only four of seven clinical responders. Overlap of peak mediator levels in subjects without a clinical response with those of the clinical responders occurred only in the case of histamine. Tryptase levels in nasal-lavage fluid appear promising as a useful indicator of allergic reactions and indicate that mast cell activation is the major factor in the immediate nasal-allergic response.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

The allosteric effect of salt on human mast cell tryptase.

The inhibitory effect of potassium chloride and ammonium sulphate on purified human skin tryptase and bovine trypsin was studied enzyme-kinetically, using Z-Gly-Pro-Arg-pNA, Z-Gly-Pro-Arg-AMC, benzoyl-L-arginine ethyl ester (BAEE) and tosyl-L-arginine methyl ester (TAME) as substrates. With increasing salt concentrations, the curve of reaction velocity vs. substrate concentration changed from hyperbolic to sigmoidal when anilide substrates (Z-Gly-Pro-Arg-pNA or -AMC) were used. Only the Km value increased, while the Vmax value remained unchanged. The trend was similar with BAEE or TAME as the substrates. However, the effect of salt on the hydrolysis of these ester substrates was not as strong as on the hydrolysis of anilide substrates, and sigmoidal kinetics were not observed even at the highest KCl concentration (0.7 M) used. Heparin, used as a stabilizer, had no influence on this phenomenon, but it did slightly decrease the apparent Km and Vmax values in low-salt conditions. By comparison, trypsin was not as strongly affected by salt as tryptase, and the inhibition type was mixed competitive and non-competitive. The present results indicate that the salt acts on tryptase as an allosteric effector, and this should be carefully considered when enzyme kinetic parameters and enzyme activity of skin tryptase are measured.

Ammonium Sulfate↗
PubMed1989

Detection of MCT and MCTC types of human mast cells by immunohistochemistry using new monoclonal anti-tryptase and anti-chymase antibodies.

We developed an improved immunohistochemical technique for distinguishing human mast cells of the MCT (tryptase-positive, chymase-negative) and MCTC (tryptase-positive, chymase-positive) types utilizing a biotinylated murine anti-chymase monoclonal antibody (MAb), termed B7, and an alkaline phosphatase-conjugated murine anti-tryptase MAb, termed G3. The B7 MAb also was used to show the selective presence of chymase in mast cells. The distribution of MCT and MCTC cells in Carnoy's fluid-fixed tissue sections of human lung, skin, small intestine, and tonsils was analyzed by the new technique and the results compared to those obtained with the older method using a rabbit polyclonal antichymase antibody and a mouse anti-tryptase MAb in indirect immunoperoxidase and indirect immunoalkaline phosphatase protocols, respectively. In tissues known to contain predominantly mature mast cells, there were no quantitative differences between the two techniques, although the staining intensity achieved with the anti-chymase MAb was greater and without development of high background, compared to results achieved with the polyclonal antibody. MCT cells were the predominant type seen in the alveoli of the lung (93%) and in the small intestinal mucosa (81%). MCTC cells predominanted in the skin (99%) and in the small intestinal submucosa (77%) and, to a lesser degree, in tonsils (60%). However, in newborn foreskin tissue which contains predominantly immature forms of mast cells, 75% of all mast cells were stained uniformly and intensely with B7, whereas only 43% were stained with the polyclonal anti-chymase antibody. Therefore, the use of MAb provides for better standardization of reagents and more accurate assessment of the distribution of human MCT and MCTC cells in tissues than previously available methods.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed2000

Mast cell tryptase as a target for drug design.

Human mast cell tryptase-beta, a tryptic serine protease with a unique structure, is an interesting therapeutic target that several companies and institutions have targeted for drug discovery. The catalytic activity of this tryptic enzyme has been linked to many disease states and proinflammatory events; however, the physical and physiological differences of tryptase across various species have made animal model data difficult to interpret, particularly in the context of human disease. Still, both protein and small-molecule tryptase inhibitors have been reported and the X-ray crystal structure of the enzyme aids in understanding how these compounds might bind. Three modes of inhibition exist: monofunctional inhibition, bifunctional inhibition and tetramer disruption. Many of these inhibitors have demonstrated activity in animal models. Human clinical studies have been conducted or are under way with certain tryptase inhibitors.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1988

Substance P and vasoactive intestinal peptide degradation by mast cell tryptase and chymase.

The peptides substance P (SP) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) released from peptidergic neurons have potent effects on gland secretion and on smooth muscle tone. Because mast cells release proteases during degranulation, and are located in many of the same tissue microenvironments into which SP and VIP are released, we wished to examine whether mast cell proteases, by cleaving and thus inactivating these peptides, could modulate their effects. We used active site-titrated preparations of the two major neutral proteases of mast cell granules, tryptase and chymase, to determine the sites and rates of cleavage of SP and VIP. The proteases were purified from dog mastocytomas. Tryptase cleaved VIP rapidly at two sites with a kcat/Km of 2.2 X 10(5) sec-1 M-1, but had no effect on SP. Chymase cleaved both SP and VIP at primarily a single site with kcat/Km of 3.9 X 10(4) and 5.4 X 10(4) sec-1 M-1, respectively. Thus, these data show that mast cell proteases degrade SP and VIP. The differences in peptidase activity between tryptase and chymase suggest that the consequences of protease release could vary according to mast cell protease phenotype and location in various tissues and species. Tryptase, by cleaving the bronchodilator VIP but not the bronchoconstrictor SP, might promote bronchial hyper-responsiveness in asthma by decreasing the nonadrenergic neural inhibitory influence mediated by VIP. In skin and other tissues, chymase might interrupt axon reflex-mediated neurogenic inflammation by cleaving SP.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1983

Generation of C3a anaphylatoxin from human C3 by human mast cell tryptase.

Tryptase, the dominant neutral protease of human pulmonary mast cell secretory granules, has the capacity in vitro to generate C3a anaphylatoxin from purified human C3. Only the alpha-chain of C3 is cleaved, and major fragments with apparent m.w. of 105,000, 39,500, 34,000, 29,000, and 9000 are detected by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under reducing conditions. Fragments of 34,000 and 9000 m.w. are detected without reduction. A portion of the 9000 m.w. protein corresponds to C3a by virtue of its co-migration in SDS polyacrylamide gels with purified C3a and with trypsin-generated C3a, by its detection in a radioimmunoassay for C3a, and by its contractile activity on the guinea pig ileum bioassay. In the presence of heparin, another component of the mast cell secretory granule, the rate of appearance and the distribution of C3 cleavage fragments as assessed in SDS polyacrylamide gels are not appreciably changed with the exception that no C3a material can be detected in the SDS polyacrylamide gels or by radioimmunoassay and bioassay of the unresolved reaction mixture. Enhanced catabolism of authentic C3a by tryptase occurs in the presence of heparin and by analogy when C3a is generated from C3 by tryptase in the presence of heparin. Whereas tryptase secreted by activated human mast cells may generate C3a, a potentially important additional mediator of immediate hypersensitivity events, the concomitant release of heparin may serve to down-regulate C3a irrespective of its mechanism of generation.

Anaphylatoxins↗
PubMed1981

Acid hydrolases and tryptase from secretory granules of dispersed human lung mast cells.

beta-Hexosaminidase, beta-glucuronidase, arylsulfatase, and tryptase were each released along with histamine from dispersed purified human lung mast cells of 40 to 80% purity by rabbit IgG anti-human IgE. The net per cent release ratio of each enzyme to histamine was determined over all doses of antibody employed to activate the mast cells and over all time points after activation, and indicated the per cent of each enzyme stored in secretory granules along with histamine. By multiplying the net per cent release ratio of each enzyme to histamine by total enzyme content in a preparation of 10(6) mast cells, values for secretory granule content per 10(6) mast cells were found to be 3.8 U for beta-hexosaminidase, 0.03 U for beta-glucuronidase, 0.03 U for arylsulfatase, and 0.9 U for tryptase. Subtype analysis of beta-hexosaminidase by diethylaminoethyl- (DEAE) cellulose chromatography revealed that the B isomer predominates in human mast cell secretory granules, whereas the A isomer predominates in secretory granules of the rat mast cell. Tryptase, the predominant neutral protease of the human mast cell secretory granule, has a m.w. of 130,000 by gel filtration chromatography, whereas the major neutral protease of the rat mast cell is chymotryptic and of 25,000 m.w. The presence of acid hydrolases, a tryptase, and histamine in human mast cell secretory granules suggests that the activated mast cell plays a direct role in the production of acute and subacute inflammation.

Arylsulfatases↗
PubMed1998

Mast cell subpopulations in the synovial tissue of patients with osteoarthritis: selective increase in numbers of tryptase-positive, chymase-negative mast cells.

Although there is relatively little evidence of inflammation in osteoarthritis (OA), increases in mast cell numbers and mast cell activation are prominent features of the synovial tissue. As little is known of the types of mast cells which may be involved, the numbers and distribution of mast cell subpopulations have been investigated as defined according to their content of proteases. Tissue was obtained from patients with OA undergoing total knee replacement surgery (n = 14) and from control subjects either post-mortem (n = 11) or following leg amputation for peripheral vascular disease (n = 3); a double-labelling immunocytochemical procedure with monoclonal antibodies specific for tryptase and chymase was applied to identify those mast cells which contain both tryptase and chymase (MCTC) and those with tryptase but not chymase (MCT). There was considerable variation between individual tissues and between sites of tissue sampling, but cells of the MCTC subset were predominant in the synovial layer of both groups of subjects without joint disease, accounting for some 60 per cent of all mast cells present. In tissue from OA patients, however, there appeared to have been a striking shift in the relative proportions of mast cells from the MCTC to the MCT phenotype, with many more MCT cells present in the synovial tissues of OA patients (median 53 MCT/mm2) than in tissue from post-mortem (7.5 MCT/mm2, P < 0.0001) or amputation controls (12 MCT/mm2). In contrast, numbers of synovial MCTC cells in the synovium of OA patients (20 MCTC/mm2) differed little from those in either of the control groups (both 12 MCTC/mm2). In several other conditions, the MCT cells have been linked with inflammatory events, but it seems that in OA, other factors may be operating to induce a selective expansion of this subpopulation.

Aged↗