T4-binding globulin (TBG), the principal thyroid hormone-binding protein of serum, is a member of the serine protease inhibitor (serpin) superfamily. We report a characteristic serpin cleavage product of TBG in sepsis sera. At 49-50 kDa, the TBG remnant is 4-5 kDa smaller than the intact protein and is the same molecular mass as a TBG cleavage product produced by incubation with polymorphonuclear elastase. Incubation with polymorphonuclear leukocytes also produces the 49- to 50-kDa remnant, and this proteolysis is stimulated by zymosan activation. Polymorphonuclear cell cleavage of TBG increases the ratio of free/bound T4. As previously described, in vitro cleavage of TBG by elastase also increases free/bound T4. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that serine proteases present at inflammatory sites cleave TBG, releasing its hormonal ligands.

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Background-The pancreatitis-associated protein (PAP) family of genes is induced in acute pancreatitis. We have previously demonstrated that antisense mediated gene knockdown of PAP in vivo decreased PAP gene expression and worsened pancreatitis. Here we investigated the effect of a more stable inhibition of PAP using siRNA gene knockdown in vitro and in an in vivo model of experimental pancreatitis.

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