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Expression, Purification, And Characterization Of The Mast Cell Proteases Chymase And Cathepsin G., Brent E. Lockhart

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Human mast cells have been associated with wound healing, allergies, inflammation, and defense against pathogens and have been detected in tissues close to blood vessels especially in the areas between the inside of the body and the external environment, such as the skin, lungs, digestive tract, mouth, and nose. Previous studies have shown that mast cells contain large granules filled with histamine, heparin, cytokines, eicosanoids, and the serine proteases, tryptase, Chymase, and cathepsin G (CatG). These proteases are stored and released from mast-cell granules upon activation by antigen binding to IgE immunoglobulins on the cell surface or by direct injury. …