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Elastase activity in leukaemic cells and plasma in patients with acute leukaemia
Author(s) -
Törnebohm E.,
Lockner D.,
Paul C.,
Egberg N.,
Sablica H.,
Wallin R.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
european journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1600-0609
pISSN - 0902-4441
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0609.1992.tb00038.x
Subject(s) - elastase , medicine , intracellular , immunology , endocrinology , gastroenterology , enzyme , chemistry , biochemistry
Proteolysis of coagulation factors and inhibitors resulting in haemorrhage can be mediated by elastase. Indirect signs of this are elevated levels of elastase complexed to its inhibitor in plasma, α 1 ‐antitrypsin (Eα 1 ‐AT). We have measured intracellular elastase activity in leukaemic cells from 60 patients with acute leukaemia. Elastase activity was detected in 92% of the patients with acute nonlymphoblastic leukaemia (ANL), no activity was found in the patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). High levels were found in cells from patients with promyelocytic leukaemia. Moderate to high total circulating blast elastase activity was measured in 70 % of the ANL patients with haemorrhage compared with 36% of the patients without bleeding complications (p < 0.05). The available intracellular elastase activity was correlated to the level of Eα 1 ‐AT (r s = 0.42, p < 0.01) but not to the elastase specific split product of fibrinogen, Bβ 30–43. In complete remission the levels of Eα 1 AT were normalized. Intracellular elastase activity might be a useful supplement to differentiate ANL and ALL.