Biomedical subjects

E Cavarra

Publications and source records attributed to E Cavarra.

21 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1992

Lung collagen synthesis and deposition in tight-skin mice with genetic emphysema.

The tight-skin (Tsk) mouse is a genetic model of pulmonary emphysema linked to a deficiency of serum antielastase. In this mouse occurrence of connective tissue abnormalities in various organs (systemic scleroderma) has been reported. The aim of the present work was to study lung collagen synthesis and deposition in Tsk mice. No differences in the collagen synthesis rate and morphology at the ultrastructural level were found in Tsk mice at birth. At 2 months of age, a marked increase in collagen was observed within the alveolar septa. At this time, an increased lung collagen synthesis, assessed by determining prolyl hydroxylase activity and incorporation of radiolabeled proline, was found in Tsk mice with respect to control mice. However, due to the ongoing parenchymal destruction, the values of total lung collagen at 6 and 12 months of age were only moderately but significantly increased with respect to those observed at 2 months. As a consequence, a progressive accumulation of lung collagen fibers was observed in the residual septa. The increase in collagen deposition was accompanied by a relative increase in type I collagen. Although the data in the literature would suggest a genetic cause for the lung collagen change in Tsk mice, the data presented here indicate that the change in lung collagen metabolism may be a part of a remodeling process taking place after lung destruction.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

An elastolytic proteinase from rabbit leukocytes: purification and partial characterization.

A proteinase with elastolytic activity was isolated from granules of rabbit bloodstream leukocytes, and purified to apparent homogeneity by a multi-step procedure consisting of ammonium sulfate precipitation, batch fractionation on DEAE-Sephadex A-50, and finally by preparative isoelectric focusing (IEF) on Sephadex G-75 Superfine. The molecule weight of the enzyme, as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), was 28,500. This enzyme shows an isoelectric point at pH 9.0. The proteinase is active against natural elastins as well as toward Suc-(Ala)3-NA, Methoxy-Suc-(Ala)2-Pro-Val-NA, and (to a lesser extent) against Suc-(Ala)2-Pro-Leu-NA and Boc-Ala-ONp. The inhibition profile of the isolated enzyme indicates that rabbit granulocyte elastase belongs to the group of serine proteinases. Inhibition by some natural proteinase inhibitors is also observed. Unlike other mammalian elastases, it is insensitive to elastatinal.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Lung injury and degradation of extracellular matrix components by Aspergillus fumigatus serine proteinase.

Aspergillus fumigatus produces a variety of extracellular proteinases that are believed to be virulence factors towards Aspergillus-related lung disease. Among Aspergillus proteinases, the serine proteinase is thought to play a major virulent role because of its widespread production. Nevertheless, evidence of direct pulmonary injury caused by the A. fumigatus serine proteinase is still lacking. The purpose of our work was: (1) to provide evidence for a pivotal role of A. fumigatus serine proteinase in producing lung injury in an animal model, and (2) to investigate the broadness of the substrate specificity of the proteinase towards extracellular matrix components. To achieve this aim, the proteinase from an A. fumigatus strain isolated from human airways was purified by a four-step procedure, including cation exchange and hydrophobic interaction. High-performance capillary electrophoresis, SDS-PAGE, determination of K(m) towards synthetic substrates, and inhibitory studies were used to further characterize the A. fumigatus serine proteinase. With reference to extracellular matrix components, the A. fumigatus serine proteinase was shown to degrade human lung elastin at a higher rate than an equimolar amount of human neutrophil elastase. Human lung collagen, type I and type III collagens, as well as fibronectin, were quickly digested by the A. fumigatus serine proteinase. Finally, mice intratracheally injected with the proteinase showed a significant degree of lower respiratory tract destruction. We conclude that the A. fumigatus serine proteinase is capable per se of hydrolyzing the major structural barriers of the lung.

Animals↗