Role of cathepsin B in leech wound healing

Abstract

The wound healing process in leeches involves different types of cells like macrophages, NK-likecells and granulocytes. These cells that are involved in immune defence, can co-operate to attackand/or isolate the non self (de Eguileor et al., 1999; de Eguileor et al., 2000a; de Eguileor et al.,2000b). In addition other types of cells, like fibroblasts and endothelial cells, are involved in theformation of new vessels. To exert their functional role, all these cells must infiltrate and migratethrough extracellular matrix (de Eguileor et al., 2001a; de Eguileor et al., 2003).Here we show, by histochemical and biochemical methods, that the cathepsin B peptidase ispresent and active in all migrating cells, involved in immune responses of leeches subjected todifferent stimuli. Interstingly the cellular function of cathepsin B in invertebrates appear to beequivalent to that of vertebrates, where the secreted enzyme plays a role in basement membrane andmatrix disruption operated by cells involved in angiogenesis, wound repair and immune defence.

Keywords

• leeches
• cathepsin-B
• immune cells
• angiogenesis