Home
Resources
Publications
Cysteine Proteinase Activity in Arthritic Rat Knee Joints and the Effects of a Selective Systemic Inhibitor, Z-Phe-AlaCH2F

Cysteine Proteinase Activity in Arthritic Rat Knee Joints and the Effects of a Selective Systemic Inhibitor, Z-Phe-AlaCH2F

C J Van Noorden, R E Smith, D Rasnick

J Rheumatol. 1988 Oct;15(10):1525-35.

PMID: 3204599

Abstract:

The role of cathepsin B, H and L activities in arthritic processes was studied histochemically using specific synthetic substrates in a postcoupling method on unfixed and undecalcified cryostat sections of rat knee joints. Only cathepsin B in synoviocytes, chondrocytes and fibroblasts showed a strong increase in activity due to antigen induced arthritis. The addition of a tissue stabilizer, polyvinyl alcohol, to the incubation medium enabled us to demonstrate extracellular enzymic activity within the articular cartilage matrix of arthritic joints. Both intravenous and oral treatment of the animals with a selective inhibitor of cathepsin B, Z-Phe-Ala fluoromethyl ketone (CH2F), during the development of arthritis suppressed the degree of inflammation and resulted in decreased intracellular and extracellular cathepsin B activity as detected histochemically, and less cartilage damage. Our study indicates that (a) cathepsin B-like activity plays a role in the cascade of proteolytic cartilage destruction, (b) chondrocytes and fibroblasts may well be involved in the breakdown of cartilage and ligaments, and (c) Z-Phe-AlaCH2F could be of therapeutic value.

Chemicals Related in the Paper:

Catalog Number	Product Name	Structure	CAS Number	Price
IAR4245644	Z-Phe-Ala fluoromethyl ketone			Price

As a specialist in analytical chemical Products, Alfa Chemistry offers consumers a wealth of raw materials and a full range of technologies and services.

QUICK LINKS

HEADQUARTERS

Tel:

Fax:

Email: