SERUM PROTEIN PROFILES IN THERMAL BURNS II. Protease Inhibitors, Complement Factors, and C-Reactive Protein

Unique reactive site domains of neuroendocrine isoforms of alpha1‐antichymotrypsin from bovine adrenal medulla and pituitary revealed by molecular cloning

“…The isoforms of ACT from adrenal medulla and pituitary possess Arg as the proposed P1 residue, suggesting that these ACTs may inhibit proteases cleaving at Arg residues. The predicted P1 residue as Arg for these ACT isoforms is consistent with the known cleavage specificity of prohormone processing enzymes for basic residues [2][3][4][5]. Evidence supporting a possible role of neuroendocrine ACTs in controlling prohormone processing enzymes has been recently demonstrated in our studies showing inhibition of the 'prohormone thiol protease' (PTP) by the pituitary ACT-like protein [8].…”

“…Alphal-antichymotrypsin (ACT), a member of the serpin family of protease inhibitors, functions in plasma as a major acute phase protein whose levels are rapidly elevated in traumatic events including surgery [1], burn injuries [2,3], cancer [4], and disease [5]. More recently, evidence for neuroendocrine functions of ACT have been demonstrated.…”

Alternative complement pathway activation increases mortality in a model of burn injury in mice.

“…Acting as a recognition systenm as well as a mediator systenm, this pathway thus may function to detect cell surface alterations (36 (16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27). Heideman (25) demonstrated in vivo alternative pathway activation by thermally damaged tissue.…”

“…A number of investigators have noted hypocomplementemia after burn injury both in animals and in humans (15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27). We report new data in a murine model of thermal injury that demonstrate: (a) massive activation of the complement system in the initial two hours following injury; (b) the alternative pathway is the primary pathway of activation; (c) terminal complement components are not depleted to the same degree as is the initial alternative pathway activity; (d) significant in vitro neutrophil aggregating activity is found in the serum and plasma of burned animals; (e) neutrophil aggregation occurs in vivo in the lungs of burned animals; (f) the lungs of burned animals show evidence of increased edema formation, which is partly complement dependent and requires C5; and (g) prior complement depletion substantially increases survival from burn injury.…”

Serial Serum C-Reactive Protein Levels in the Diagnosis of Neonatal Infection

“…Interleukin-6 of maternal origin 43 in cord blood may produce elevated CRP levels in uninfected infants born to women with chorioamnionitis. CRP levels may be elevated in neonates with thermal burns, 44,45 pneumothoraces, 46 intraventricular hemorrhage, 46 meconium aspiration syndrome with negative cultures, 23,34 necrotizing enterocolitis, [47][48][49] and after surgical procedures, 50,51 cardiopulmonary bypass, [52][53][54] or immunizations 55 but not in those with uncomplicated respiratory distress syndrome, 46,56,57 perinatal asphyxia, 56 prolonged rupture of membranes, 56 or jaundice. 56 Most acute viral infections are not associated with abnormal CRP levels.…”