Cellular origin of cathepsin B in carrageenin-induced granuloma tissues in rats.

Abstract

Cathepsin B isolated from carrageenan-induced granuloma tissue [in rats] was separated into 2 peaks (1 large and 1 small) on CM-cellulose column chromatography. The cathepsin B activities from the peritoneal macrophages and polymorphonuclear leukocytes were eluted at the positions identical to those of the larger (P-I) and the smaller (P-II) peaks, respectively. The cathepsin B activities in the P-I and P-II fractions from granuloma tissue corresponded to those from macrophages and leukocytes, respectively, in isoelectric focusing in polyacrylamide gel. The cathepsin B activities were completely inhibited by iodoacetamide and leupeptin, but phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride and o-phenanthroline were ineffective. The MW of the cathepsin B of the cellular origin and granuloma tissue was .apprx. 24,000 by gel filtration. The pI values of cathepsin B in the P-I and P-II fractions from granuloma tissue were 5.09 and 5.18, respectively. Two types of cathepsin B in granuloma tissue may be different in cellular origin and may be isozymes.