Granzymes regulate proinflammatory cytokine responses

AC Wensink, CE Hack, N Bovenschen - The Journal of immunology, 2015 - journals.aai.org
AC Wensink, CE Hack, N Bovenschen
The Journal of immunology, 2015journals.aai.org
Granzymes (Grs) are serine proteases mainly produced by cytotoxic lymphocytes and are
traditionally considered to cause apoptosis in tumor cells and virally infected cells. However,
the cytotoxicity of several Grs is currently being debated, and additional, predominantly
extracellular, functions of Grs in inflammation are emerging. Extracellular soluble Grs are
elevated in the circulation of patients with autoimmune diseases and infections. Additionally,
Grs are expressed by several types of immune cells other than cytotoxic lymphocytes …
Abstract
Granzymes (Grs) are serine proteases mainly produced by cytotoxic lymphocytes and are traditionally considered to cause apoptosis in tumor cells and virally infected cells. However, the cytotoxicity of several Grs is currently being debated, and additional, predominantly extracellular, functions of Grs in inflammation are emerging. Extracellular soluble Grs are elevated in the circulation of patients with autoimmune diseases and infections. Additionally, Grs are expressed by several types of immune cells other than cytotoxic lymphocytes. Recent research has revealed novel immunomodulatory functions of Grs. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview on the role of Grs in inflammation, highlighting their role in cytokine induction and processing.
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