NEUTROPHIL ELASTASE Meaning and
Definition
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Neutrophil elastase is a proteolytic enzyme produced by neutrophils, a type of white blood cell involved in the immune response. It belongs to the serine protease family and plays a crucial role in the body's defense against microbial infections.
The primary function of neutrophil elastase is to degrade and destroy foreign microorganisms that invade the body. Upon encountering pathogens, neutrophils release neutrophil elastase, which effectively breaks down bacterial cell membranes and contributes to pathogen tissue infiltration. Neutrophil elastase is particularly effective against Gram-negative bacteria, including Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, but it can also target other microorganisms.
Besides its antimicrobial properties, neutrophil elastase is capable of modulating the immune response. It can trigger the release of various inflammatory mediators, such as cytokines and chemokines, stimulating other immune cells to migrate to the site of infection. However, an excessive release of neutrophil elastase can lead to tissue damage, as it can break down both pathogen and host cell proteins, including elastin – a crucial component of connective tissues.
High levels of neutrophil elastase have been implicated in various pathological conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and autoimmune diseases. Consequently, inhibiting or controlling neutrophil elastase activity has become a target of pharmaceutical research for the development of therapies aimed at mitigating inflammation and tissue damage associated with these conditions.
Common Misspellings for NEUTROPHIL ELASTASE
- beutrophil elastase
- meutrophil elastase
- jeutrophil elastase
- heutrophil elastase
- nwutrophil elastase
- nsutrophil elastase
- ndutrophil elastase
- nrutrophil elastase
- n4utrophil elastase
- n3utrophil elastase
- neytrophil elastase
- nehtrophil elastase
- nejtrophil elastase
- neitrophil elastase
- ne8trophil elastase
- ne7trophil elastase
- neurrophil elastase
- neufrophil elastase
- neugrophil elastase
- neuyrophil elastase
Etymology of NEUTROPHIL ELASTASE
The word "neutrophil elastase" has its etymology rooted in Latin and Greek.
The term "neutrophil" comes from the combination of the Latin word "neutro" meaning "neither" and "philos" meaning "loving". Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell that are neither acidic nor basic and are part of the immune system.
The term "elastase" comes from the Greek word "elastos" meaning "elastic" and the suffix "-ase" which is commonly used to denote an enzyme. Elastase is an enzyme that belongs to a group known as serine proteases, which are involved in breaking down proteins, particularly elastic fibers found in connective tissues.
Bringing these two terms together, "neutrophil elastase" denotes an enzyme produced by neutrophils that specifically acts on the elastic fibers.
