Mediators of Inflammation (Jan 1999)

Production of Secretory Leucocyte Protease Inhibitor (SLPI) in Human Pancreatic β-Cells

  • Max Nyström,
  • Magnus Bergenfeldt,
  • Irena Ljungcrantz,
  • Èsa Lindeheim,
  • Kjell Ohlsson

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/09629359990478
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8, no. 3
pp. 147 – 151

Abstract

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Secretory leucocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) is a potent inhibitor of granulocyte elastase and cathepsin G, and also an inhibitor of pancreatic enzymes like trypsin, chymotrypsin and pancreatic elastase. SLPI has also been shown to inhibit HIV-1 infections by blocking viral DNA synthesis. Since SLPI is an inhibitor of pancreatic proteases we wished to investigate whether SLPI was also actually produced in the pancreas. M-RNA from human pancreatic tissue showed evidence of SLPI production using the reverse transcriptase polymer chain reaction technique (RTPCR). Using immunohistochemical methods SLPI was demonstrated in the β-ce1ls of the islets of Langerhans. The function could be local protease/antiprotease regulation or antiviral/antibacterial defence in the close vicinity of the cell surface, or even inside the β-cell itself.

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