<i>β</i>-Hexosaminidases: Potent Mitogens of Airway Smooth Muscle

Db, Lew

doi:10.2500/108854198778612654

Cited by 1 publication

(2 citation statements)

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“…The pattern of β-hex-induced p44/42 MAPK is probably critical to cell proliferation [28,29,30]. Moreover, β-hex is protease resistant [26] and, upon activation, first degrades the extracellular matrix and subsequently acts as a mitogenic factor [27]. Thus, β-hex may serve as a key inflammatory mediator critical to the airway remodeling process [26] and the mitogenic activity of this enzyme in humans is very likely; however, more studies are needed to establish its precise role in airway remodeling.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therefore, we suggest that this enzyme could participate in airway inflammation and remodeling. β-hex and other mannosyl-rich lysosomal hydrolases are potent mitogens for bovine airway smooth muscle cells [24], and this mitogenic action is mediated via airway smooth muscle mannose-recognizing receptors [25] that have been isolated from bovine airway smooth muscle cells and human bronchial smooth muscle [26]. Lew et al [27] demonstrated that β-hex-induced airway smooth muscle cell proliferation is mediated by activation of p21Ras/MEK/p44/42 MAPK and protein kinase C. β-hex causes activation of p44/42 MAPK that is late in onset (30 min) and sustained for 4 h [27].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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N-Acetyl-Beta-Hexosaminidase Activity in Asthma

Tomasiak

Tomasiak²,

Ziętkowski³

et al. 2008

Int Arch Allergy Immunol

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Background: N-acetyl-β-hexosaminidase (β-hex) is a lysosomal hydrolase, which is selectively secreted into the extracellular space by inflammatory cells. The aim of our study was to assess the activity of β-hex in the plasma of asthmatic patients, and to establish whether it correlates with asthma severity and airway inflammation. Methods: The study was conducted in a group of 46 asthmatic patients and 13 healthy volunteers. All study participants underwent analysis of exhaled nitric oxide and flow-volume spirometry. β-hex activity, peripheral blood eosinophils, total serum IgE and eosinophil cationic protein were analyzed in blood samples from all asthmatic patients and healthy volunteers. Results: β-hex activity was significantly higher in patients with severe or moderate asthma compared with healthy volunteers and was positively correlated with exhaled nitric oxide levels and serum eosinophil cationic protein in these groups of patients. There was no correlation between β-hex activity and forced expiratory volume in 1 s, blood eosinophil count or total serum IgE in these groups of asthmatics. Conclusions: Our results suggest that β-hex could take part in airway inflammation and remodeling in asthma. Our study is the first report in which the elevated activity of β-hex in subjects with asthma has been observed. However, more studies are needed to establish the precise role of this enzyme in asthma in humans.

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