Effects of propofol and desflurane anaesthesia on the alveolar inflammatory response to one-lung ventilation.

BACKGROUND: One-lung ventilation (OLV) induces a pro-inflammatory response including cytokine release and leucocyte recruitment in the ventilated lung. Whether volatile or i.v. anaesthetics differentially modulate the alveolar inflammatory response to OLV is unclear. METHODS: Thirty patients, ASA II or III, undergoing open thoracic surgery were randomized to receive either propofol 4 mg kg(-1) h(-1) (n = 15) or 1 MAC desflurane in air (n = 15) during thoracic surgery. Analgesia was provided by i.v. infusion of remifentanil (0.25 microg kg(-1) min(-1)) in both groups. The patients were mechanically ventilated according to a standard protocol during two-lung ventilation and OLV. Fibre optic bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of the ventilated lung was performed before and after OLV and 2 h postoperatively. Alveolar cells, protein, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), interleukin (IL)-8, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM), IL10, and polymorphonuclear (PMN) elastase were determined in the BAL fluid. Data were analysed by parametric or non-parametric tests, as indicated. RESULTS: In both groups, an increase in pro-inflammatory markers was found after OLV and 2 h postoperatively; however, the fraction of alveolar granulocytes (median 63.7 vs 31.1%, P < 0.05) was significantly higher in the propofol group compared with the desflurane group. The time courses of alveolar elastase, IL-8, and IL-10 differed between groups, and alveolar TNFalpha (7.4 vs 3.1 pg ml(-1), P < 0.05) and sICAM-1 (52.3 vs 26.3 ng ml(-1), P < 0.05) were significantly higher in the propofol group. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that pro-inflammatory reactions during OLV were influenced by the type of general anaesthesia. Different patterns of alveolar cytokines may be a result of increased granulocyte recruitment during propofol anaesthesia.

Cathepsin protease activity modulates amyloid load in extracerebral amyloidosis.

In cerebral amyloidoses, such as Alzheimer's disease, proteolytic processing of the precursor protein is a fundamental mechanism of the disease, since it generates the amyloid protein. However, the putative significance of proteases in extracerebral amyloidoses is less well defined. In this study, we investigated the biological significance of cathepsin (Cath) B, CathK, and CathL in the pathology and pathogenesis of extracerebral amyloidoses by using the murine model of reactive or secondary AA amyloidosis with three different cathepsin-deficient mouse strains. Extracerebral AA amyloid was induced by injecting amyloid-enhancing factor and silver nitrate into CathB(-/-), CathK(-/-), and CathL(-/-) mice. Wild-type mice served as a control. CathK(-/-) mice deposited over 90% more amyloid and CathL(-/-) mice 60% less amyloid than the control (p < 0.0001). The amyloid load in CathB(-/-) mice did not differ from that in wild-type mice. In vitro degradation experiments with recombinant human and murine serum amyloid A (SAA) 1.1 and CathK and CathL showed that CathL generates a large number of differently sized SAA cleavage products. One of these fragments spans the heparin/heparan sulphate binding site and the neutral cholesterol ester hydrolase activating region of SAA. CathK showed only endoproteolytic activity and did not generate any AA amyloid-like peptides. This study provides unequivocal evidence that proteases modulate amyloid load in extracerebral amyloidosis. CathL was identified as an amyloid-promoting and CathK as an amyloid-retarding cysteine protease. CathB may only modulate the primary structure of the amyloid peptide without affecting amyloid load.

Cathepsin-regulated apoptosis.

Apoptosis can be mediated by different mechanisms. There is growing evidence that different proteolytic enzymes are involved in the regulation of apoptosis. Cathepsins are proteases which, under physiologic conditions, are localized intralysosomally. In response to certain signals they are released from the lysosomes into the cytoplasm where they trigger apoptotic cell death via various pathways, including the activation of caspases or the release of proapoptotic factors from the mitochondria. Here, we review different mechanisms that induce the release of lysosomal enzymes, and the functional relevance of defined cathepsins in defined models of apoptosis.

Proteolysis of serum amyloid A and AA amyloid proteins by cysteine proteases: cathepsin B generates AA amyloid proteins and cathepsin L may prevent their formation.

BACKGROUND: AA amyloidosis develops in patients with chronic inflammatory diseases. The AA amyloid proteins are proteolytic fragments obtained from serum amyloid A (SAA). Previous studies have provided evidence that endosomes or lysosomes might be involved in the processing of SAA, and contribute to the pathology of AA amyloidosis. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anatomical distribution of cathepsin (Cath) B and CathL in AA amyloidosis and their ability to process SAA and AA amyloid proteins. METHODS: and results: CathB and CathL were found immunohistochemically in every patient with AA amyloidosis and displayed a spatial relationship with amyloid in all the cases studied. Both degraded SAA and AA amyloid proteins in vitro. With the help of mass spectrometry 27 fragments were identified after incubation of SAA with CathB, nine of which resembled AA amyloid proteins, and seven fragments after incubation with CathL. CathL did not generate AA amyloid-like peptides. When native human AA amyloid proteins were used as a substrate 26 fragments were identified after incubation with CathB and 18 after incubation with CathL. CONCLUSION: The two most abundant and ubiquitously expressed lysosomal proteases can cleave SAA and AA amyloid proteins. CathB generates nine AA amyloid-like proteins by its carboxypeptidase activity, whereas CathL may prevent the formation of AA amyloid proteins by endoproteolytic activity within the N-terminal region of SAA. This is particularly interesting, because AA amyloidosis is a systemic disease affecting many organs and tissue types, almost all of which express CathB and CathL.

Proteasome inhibitors modulate chemokine production in lung epithelial and monocytic cells.

Proteasome inhibition has become a target for antitumour and anti-inflammatory therapy. The present study investigated the influence of cysteine proteinase and proteasome inhibitors on chemokine production in lung epithelial cells and monocytic cells. The lung carcinoma cell lines A549, SK-MES, NCI-H727, virus-transformed bronchial epithelial cell line BEAS-2B, primary lung epithelial cells, and the acute monocytic leukaemia cell lines Mono-Mac-6 and THP-1 were incubated with proteasome (N-acetyl-L-leucyl-L-leucyl-L-norleucinal (ALLN), beta-lactone) or cysteine proteinase inhibitor (L-trans-Epoxysuccinyl-Leu-3-methylbutylamide-ethyl ester) and the influence on chemokine production (interleukin-8: IL-8, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, RANTES) was quantified at protein and mRNA levels. Inhibition of proteasome activity by ALLN and beta-lactone resulted in significantly increased IL-8 secretion (5- to 22-fold). Cysteine proteinase inhibitors did not influence chemokine production. The simultaneous rise in IL-8 mRNA was caused by an increased half-life of mRNA and increased RNA synthesis. Moreover, analysis of transcription factor activation revealed induction of activator protein-1 (c-Jun) activity by proteasome inhibition, whereas nuclear factor-kappaB (p50 and p65) was not activated. The significant increase in IL-8 production after proteasome inhibition was also observed in primary lung epithelial cells and in monocytic cells. In addition, the secreted IL-8 was biologically active as shown by the neutrophil chemotaxis assay. In conclusion, it was shown that proteasome inhibitors stimulate interleukin-8 secretion in lung epithelial cells and monocytic cells, thus recruiting neutrophils.

Lysosomal cysteine proteases in the lung: role in protein processing and immunoregulation.

Lysosomal cysteine proteases are a family comprising > 10 enzymes. For many years it was believed that these enzymes catalyse protein breakdown unselectively, are highly redundant in their substrate specificity and are also expressed ubiquitously. This view has changed dramatically since a number of new lysosomal cysteine proteases with restricted expression and outstanding enzymatic activity have been described. In addition, knockout mice and selective protease inhibitors have been used to characterise specific functions of single proteases. In this review, some of these functions are discussed in relation to the lungs, especially the role of lysosomal cysteine proteases in matrix remodelling, immunoregulation and surfactant protein processing.

Simultaneous detection and differentiation of anti-Helicobacter pylori antibodies by flow microparticle immunofluorescence assay.

Helicobacter pylori is the key pathogen for gastroduodenal diseases. The clinical outcome of H. pylori infection is influenced by the presence of strain-specific virulence factors that are usually detected by the presence of specific anti-H. pylori antibodies in serum. Apart from the detection of these antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), it is desirable to obtain additional information concerning the presence of certain virulence factors of H. pylori that are currently detected by immunoblot analysis. At present, the immunodiagnosis of an H. pylori infection includes two separate methods: ELISA and immunoblot analysis. Here, we report the development and evaluation of a new rapid flow microparticle immunofluorescence assay (FMIA) for detection of anti-H. pylori antibodies in human serum. The assay allows rapid qualitative and quantitative detection of anti-H. pylori antibodies by using crude antigen preparations as well as single recombinant antigens (urease A, urease B, CagA, and alkylhydroxy peroxide reductase) in the same sample with one measurement, and thus it combines the advantages of enzyme immunoassay and Western blot analysis. Seventy-five patient samples were analyzed by FMIA, ELISA, and Western blotting with respect to their immunoreactivity against crude H. pylori extracts and individual H. pylori antigens. Statistical analyses revealed an overall similarity of more than 90% among the results for FMIA, ELISA, and Western blot. Therefore, we conclude that FMIA is a powerful and time- and cost-saving assay system for the detection of antimicrobial antibodies, with higher sensitivity and a larger measurement range than ELISA.

[Diagnosis of multiple myeloma by demonstrating plasma cells in bronchoalveolar lavage]. / Diagnose eines Multiplen Myeloms durch den Nachweis von Plasmazellen in der bronchoalveolären Lavage.

HISTORY AND CLINICAL FINDINGS: A 61-year-old man was transferred from a peripheral hospital with the diagnosis of interstitial lung disease and an unclear mediastinal tumour. At the time of admission the patient had congestive heart disease NYHA class IV. INVESTIGATIONS: The echocardiogram showed a small left ventricle with concentric hypertrophy and a left ventricular ejection fraction of 35 %. The myocardium was relatively echo-rich with solid structures inside. Chest X-ray showed a massive rightsided pleural effusion. The abdominal ultrasound demonstrated ascites and hepatomegaly. The bronchoalveolar lavage showed an increased part of CD3 negative and CD16/CD56 positive cells, which were identified as plasma cells by light and electron microscopy. Aspiration and investigation of the bone marrow verified the diagnosis of a IgG multiple myeloma, highly differentiated characterised by monoclonal expression of light-lambda chains. Additionally Bence-Jones-proteins were found in the urine and osteolysis in the x-ray of the skull and the humerus. DIAGNOSIS: Multiple myeloma, IgG-lambda, stage IIA. THERAPY AND CLINICAL COURSE: Chemotherapy with prednisolone and melphalan was initiated. His general condition increased after administration of the first cycle of chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: Cardiopulmonary involvement is seldom seen in multiple myeloma but should be excluded when clinical symptoms are present.

Expression of cathepsins B, H, K, L, and S during human fetal lung development.

Cathepsins are involved in lysosomal protein degradation, proenzyme activation, antigen processing, and hormone maturation. They are secreted by tumor cells and macrophages and catalyze the remodeling of extracellular matrix proteins. To gain insight into the expression pattern of cathepsins during fetal lung development, the expression of cathepsins B, H, K, L, and S at protein and mRNA levels were evaluated by using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. Early expression of cathepsins B, H, and K was found in epithelial cells of the branching presumptive bronchi (<12th week of gestation). The most intense cathepsin K-specific immunoreactivity was found in developing airways with a lumen. Cathepsin K was found in epithelial cells only, whereas in contrast, cathepsins B and H were detected both in epithelial and interstitial cells. During fetal maturation, interstitial cells displayed cathepsin L immunoreactivity and, in the saccular phase (>26th week of gestation), both cathepsin L and S immunoreactivities. A continuous decline in the proportion of cathepsin H-positive interstitial CD68-positive cells was observed. These discrete temporal and spatial variations in cathepsin expression during organogenesis of the human lung indicate different physiological roles for the individual enzymes in different cell types and developmental stages.

Trefoil factor family-peptides promote migration of human bronchial epithelial cells: synergistic effect with epidermal growth factor.

A process termed "restitution" enables rapid repair of the respiratory epithelium by migration of neighbouring cells. Mucin-associated TFF-peptides (formerly P-domain peptides or trefoil factors) are typical motogens enhancing migration of cells in various in vitro models mimicking restitution of the intestine. The human bronchial epithelial cell line BEAS-2B was used as a model system of airway restitution. The motogenic activities of recombinant human TFF2 as well as porcine TFF2 were demonstrated by in vitro wound healing assays of BEAS-2B cells. TFF2 did not induce phosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor. EGF was capable of enhancing the motogenic effect of human TFF2 at a concentration of 3 x 10(-10) M whereas EGF itself (i.e., in the absence of TFF2) did not stimulate migration at this low concentration. Furthermore, TFF2 as well as monomeric and dimeric forms of TFF3 enhanced migration of BEAS-2B cells in Boyden chambers. Motogenic activity of TFF2 was also shown for normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells in Boyden chambers. These results suggest that TFF-peptides act as motogens in the human respiratory epithelium triggering rapid repair of damaged mucosa in the course of airway diseases such as asthma.

Antioxidant and antiprotease status in peripheral blood and BAL fluid after cardiopulmonary bypass.

OBJECTIVE: Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) triggers systemic inflammation. Recent evidence suggests that metabolic and oxygenation management can affect the outcome of patients after cardiac surgery. We investigated the influence of oxidant/antioxidant and protease/antiprotease imbalance during the course of systemic and pulmonary inflammation. METHODS: In a study of 61 patients, we measured the intracellular thiol concentration, the intracellular activity of cathepsins and elastase, and the concentrations of secreted elastase, soluble alpha(1)-proteinase inhibitor (alpha(1)-PI), and secretory leukoprotease inhibitor (SLPI). Peripheral blood and BAL fluid (BALF) were obtained preoperatively and 2 h after CPB. RESULTS: A post-CPB depletion of thiol was found in blood granulocytes, lymphocytes, and monocytes, as well as BALF lymphocytes and macrophages. The degree of postoperative depletion correlated with PO(2) and blood glucose levels during CPB. Concomitant reduction of FEV(1) showed positive correlation with thiol depletion of blood monocytes and granulocytes. Elastase and cathepsin activities were increased in blood cells but not in lymphocytes or macrophages from BALF. The concentrations of secreted elastase were significantly increased in blood plasma but not in BALF. Enhanced antiprotease (alpha(1)-PI, SLPI) concentrations were measured in BALF but not in peripheral blood. CONCLUSIONS: The inflammatory response of the intra-alveolar compartment is clearly distinguishable from systemic inflammation. CPB causes a differentiated impairment of the antioxidant defense system as well as a protease/antiprotease imbalance in blood and BALF. Oxygenation under circumstances of CPB and concomitant pulmonary disease, as well as blood glucose metabolism, influence the antioxidative defense. Individual perioperative management of blood glucose and oxygenation could improve cellular defense systems in the peripheral blood and BALF and therefore result in a more favorable patient outcome.

Cathepsin K--a marker of macrophage differentiation?

Cathepsin K is a cysteine protease with high matrix-degrading activity. Initially, cathepsin K was described as being expressed exclusively by osteoclasts. It was suggested that cathepsin K expression is a specific feature of cells involved in bone remodelling. The aim of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that cathepsin K is expressed not only in bone-resorbing macrophages, but also more generally in specifically differentiated macrophages, such as epithelioid cells and multinucleated giant cells in soft tissues. Specimens obtained from different organs and anatomical locations of patients suffering from sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, granulomas caused by foreign materials, and sarcoid-like lesions were investigated for the expression of cathepsins B, K, and L. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization showed cathepsin K in epithelioid cells and multinucleated giant cells irrespective of the pathological condition and anatomical location, but not in normal resident macrophages. By immunoelectron microscopy, cathepsin K was discovered in cytoplasmic granules of multinucleated giant cells. In contrast, cathepsin B and cathepsin L were expressed ubiquitously in CD68-positive tissue macrophages, epithelioid cells, and multinucleated giant cells. The results demonstrate that cathepsin K, but not cathepsin B or cathepsin L, differentiates specific phenotypes of macrophages independently of the anatomical site. Its enzymatic characteristics, particularly its high matrix-degrading activity, suggest that cathepsin K-positive epithelioid cells and multinucleated giant cells are characterized by an enhanced specific proteolytic capability.

Disposable TSM-biosensor based on viscosity changes of the contacting medium.

The thickness shear mode (TSM)-sensor responds to changes of mechanical properties of the material contacting the surface of the sensor. One of the material properties is the viscosity of a liquid. Abiosensor based on the TSM-resonator for the detection of endotoxin has been developed. It exploits the viscosity-density change during the reaction of endotoxin with limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL). The effect of surface properties of the sensor has been investigated to achieve better output signals. It is shown that the sensor requires a hydrophilic surface to get a better coupling between the sensor and the LAL-endotoxin solution. The TSM biosensor is able to detect an endotoxin concentration as low as 100 fg/ml by using only 50-microl standard LAL solution. The disadvantages of reusable sensors, such as the contamination from previous measurement of endotoxin and the cost of the regeneration or reclining processes of the sensor, have been eliminated by using a cost effective disposable TSM-sensor.

Human cathepsin W, a cysteine protease predominantly expressed in NK cells, is mainly localized in the endoplasmic reticulum.

Human cathepsin W (also called lymphopain) is a recently described papain-like cysteine protease of unknown function whose gene expression was found to be restricted to cytotoxic cells. Here we demonstrate that cathepsin W is expressed predominantly in NK cells and, to a lesser extent, in CTLs. Quantitative RT-PCR revealed that NK cells contained approximately 21 times more cathepsin W transcript than CTLs. The predominant expression of cathepsin W in NK cells was further confirmed by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. IL-2-mediated stimulation of NK cells and CTLs revealed a stronger up-regulation of the cathepsin W gene and protein expression in NK cells (7-fold) than in CTLs (2-fold). Transfection experiments of HeLa cells and biochemical analyses revealed that cathepsin W is exclusively "high mannose-type" glycosylated and is mainly targeted to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Interestingly, the ER localization of cathepsin W was also found in NK cells, in which colocalization studies revealed an overlapping staining of cathepsin W and Con A, an ER-specific lectin. Furthermore, subcellular fractionation of cathepsin W-expressing cells confirmed the ER localization and showed that cathepsin W is membrane associated. Based on the results of this study, cathepsin W might represent a putative component of the ER-resident proteolytic machinery. The constitutive expression in NK cells and the stronger up-regulation of cathepsin W by IL-2 in NK cells than CTLs suggest that cathepsin W is not just a marker of cytotoxic cells but is, rather, specifically expressed in NK cells.

A putative role for cathepsin K in degradation of AA and AL amyloidosis.

The aims of this study were to investigate the role of cathepsin K in the pathology of amyloidosis by demonstrating its presence in multinucleated giant cells (MGCs) adjacent to amyloid deposits, and determining its ability to degrade amyloid fibril proteins in vitro. The study was performed using autopsy and biopsy specimens from patients with AA or AL amyloidosis. In six (55%) patients with AA amyloidosis and seven (58%) patients with AL amyloidosis, variable numbers of CD68-immunoreactive MGCs were found adjacent to amyloid deposits. In each case strong cytoplasmic immunostaining for cathepsin K was found in MGCs; immunostaining of amyloid deposits was present in five (45%) patients with AA amyloidosis and three (25%) patients with AL amyloidosis. In vitro degradation experiments showed that recombinant cathepsin K completely degraded AA amyloid fibril proteins at pH 5.5 as shown by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blotting. Less effective degradation took place at pH 7.4 and there was no degradation in the presence of a general cysteine protease inhibitor (E64) or in the absence of cathepsin K. This is the first study to show that cathepsin K is expressed in MGCs adjacent to amyloid deposits and to demonstrate its ability to degrade amyloid fibril proteins.

Interleukin-6 and transforming growth factor-beta 1 control expression of cathepsins B and L in human lung epithelial cells.

Cathepsins B and L are commonly expressed cysteine proteinases that play a major role in lysosomal bulk proteolysis, protein processing, matrix degradation, and tissue remodeling. Cathepsins are also implicated in tumor progression and metastasis, tissue injury, and inflammation. Cells at sites of inflammation often show upregulation and secretion of cathepsins. The regulation of cathepsin expression by inflammatory mediators is not well understood. The aims of this study were to investigate the effect of the cytokines interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), IL-6, IL-10, transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1), and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) on expression of cathepsin B and cathepsin L mRNA (quantitative RT-PCR), on protein expression (ELISA, Western blot), and also on enzymatic activity of cathepsins B and L. Investigations were performed using the human lung epithelial cell line A-549. IL-6 was found to induce a concentration-dependent increase in mRNA expression, protein concentration, and enzymatic activity of cathepsin L. Cathepsin B mRNA and protein expression were not affected by IL-6. In contrast, TGF-beta 1 decreased the amount of cathepsin L mRNA and cathepsin B mRNA. At protein level, it was shown that TGF-beta 1 clearly reduced the concentration of cathepsin L but not cathepsin B. The cytokines IL-1 beta, IL-10, and HGF were found to exert no effect on cathepsin B and L expression. In conclusion, these results are the first to show that IL-6 and TGF-beta 1 have opposite effects on the regulation of expression of cathepsins B and L in A-549 human lung epithelial cells. The proinflammatory cytokine IL-6 induced an upregulation of cathepsin L, whereas TGF-beta 1 suppressed cathepsin B and L expression. Further studies are needed to clarify the mechanism that affects cathepsin B and L expression.

A new type of fluorogenic substrates for determination of cellular dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DP IV/CD26) activity.

The stability of cell associated fluorescence is an essential requirement for measurements of cellular enzymatic activity via enzyme catalyzed liberation of fluorophores. Rhodamine 110 (R110), a highly fluorescent xanthene dye, was used to synthesize nonfluorescent dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DP IV) substrates Xaa-Pro-R110-Y allowing the stable covalent binding of the enzymatically released fluorescent R110-Y on cells. All compounds have been characterized as substrates of isolated DP IV with kcat/Km values of about 10(6) M-1.s-1. The hydrophobicity of the residue Y affects the affinity of the substrate to the catalytic site of DP IV. The compounds are characterized as sensitive substrates of cell surface associated DP IV of DP IV rich U-937 cells. The binding of the enzymatically released R110-Y on cells results in a stable cellular fluorescence. This way, the quantitative determination of cell surface associated DP IV activity is possible.

DNA synthesis in cultured human keratinocytes and HaCaT keratinocytes is reduced by specific inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (CD26) enzymatic activity.

The ectopeptidase dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DP IV, CD26, EC 3.4.14.5) is present on most mammalian cells. Using specific inhibitors of DP IV, it has been shown that this enzyme is involved in the regulation of DNA synthesis and in production of various cytokines in lymphocytes. The aim of the present work was to investigate the expression of DP IV/CD26 on human keratinocytes and to answer the question, whether the proliferation (DNA synthesis) of human keratinocytes is influenced by inhibition of the enzymatic activity of DP IV. Using flow cytometry, RT-PCR, and specific enzymatic activity assays, expression of DP IV-mRNA and CD26 antigen were shown on primary keratinocyte strains and on the HaCaT keratinocyte cell line. The synthetic DP IV inhibitors Lys[Z(NO2)]-thiazolidide and -pyrrolidide suppress the DNA-synthesis of these cells in a dose-dependent manner. These data demonstrate that CD26 is also involved in the regulation of DNA synthesis of keratinocytes and that the enzymatic activity is required for mediating these effects.

Cathepsin K expression in human lung.

Tissue remodeling is crucial in different lung diseases, in the embryonal development as well as in bronchial carcinoma. Cathepsins were proposed to be involved in the degradation of matrix proteins. Cathepsin K is one of the most potent matrix-degrading cysteine proteinases known as yet. The elastinolytic and collagenolytic activity of this papain-like protease is comparable with that of neutrophil elastase. We have investigated the cathepsin K expression in normal adult lung tissues, in embryonal lung tissue and in bronchial carcinoma. With help of specific anti-cathepsin K antibodies it could be shown that cathepsin K was expressed in bronchial epithelial cells. These data could be confirmed at mRNA level using a quantitative RT-PCR as well as by visualisation of the specific enzymatic activity in epithelial cell lines. During the embryonal development cathepsin K was expressed in the epithelial cells of the developing bronchi. The expression seemed to be upregulated in parallel with the development of the bronchial and alveolar lumen. In the later phase of lung development the cathepsin K expression was restricted to bronchial epithelial cells. Furthermore, using quantitative RT-PCR it could be shown that cathepsin K-mRNA was upregulated in lung tumor tissues in comparison to normal tissues from the same patients. These data suggest that cathepsin K may play an important role in matrix remodeling of the lung under physiological and pathological conditions.