Neutrophil Elastase (NE) is a serine protease that is expressed in bone marrow precursor cells, stored in peripheral blood granulocytes, and implicated in the progression of a variety of inflammatory diseases, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, adult respiratory distress syndrome and cystic fibrosis. In neutrophils, Neutrophil Elastase contributes largely to the proteolysis of phagocytosed proteins, the migration of neutrophils and the remodeling of tissues following injury. Neutrophil Elastase, which is also designated medullasin, is secreted into the extracellular matrix, where it is then capable of destroying connective tissue proteins, including elastin, proteoglycans and Type IV Collagens. Neutrophil Elastase also mediates proteolysis by cleaving proteins that are associated with the complement system, such as antithrombin and Fibrinogen. Additionally, Neutrophil Elastase functions as a potent platelet agonist, where it potentiates the aggregation, secretion and mobilization of calcium in response to cathepsin G binding to platelet surface receptors.
