Abstract

Background/Aims: Activation of trypsinogen to trypsin is a crucial step in the development of acute pancreatitis. The cause of this activation is not known although suggested explanations include autoactivation, cathepsin B-mediated activation and activation by mast cell tryptase. The aim of this study was to investigate cathepsin B and tryptase activation of pancreatic zymogens. Methods: Trypsinogen-1, proelastase, and procarboxypeptidase B were purified from human pancreatic juice. Human cathepsin B and beta I- tryptase are commercial products. Activation and degradation of zymogens were measured by activity towards specific substrates for trypsin and pancreatic elastase, ELISAs for procarboxypeptidase B and its activation peptide, and a radioimmunoassay for the trypsinogen activation peptide. Results: Cathepsin B caused activation of trypsinogen-1 with a trypsin yield of about 30% of that produced by enterokinase. Proelastase and procarboxypeptidase B was not activated by cathepsin B. None of the zymogens were inactivated by cathepsin B. Neither monomeric nor tetrameric tryptase could activate any of the examined zymogens. Conclusion: Cathepsin B is a competent activator of trypsinogen-1, although not as efficient as enterokinase. If cathepsin B is to play a role in protease activation in acute pancreatitis, this most probably occurs by activation of trypsinogen. Copyright (C) 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel and IAP

Published in

Pancreatology
2006, Volume: 6, number: 3, pages: 224-231
Publisher: KARGER

SLU Authors

• Pejler, Gunnar

  • Department of Molecular Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Animal and Dairy Science
Veterinary Science


Publication Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1159/000091961

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/10700