Abstract |
The 18 glycosyl hydrolase family of chitinases is an ancient gene family that is widely expressed from prokaryotes to eukaryotes. In mammals, despite the absence of endogenous chitin, a number of chitinases and chitinase-like proteins (C/CLPs) have been identified. However, their roles have only recently begun to be elucidated. Acidic mammalian chitinase (AMCase) inhibits chitin-induced innate inflammation; augments chitin-free, allergen-induced Th2 inflammation; and mediates effector functions of IL-13. The CLPs BRP-39/YKL-40 (also termed chitinase 3-like 1) inhibit oxidant-induced lung injury, augments adaptive Th2 immunity, regulates apoptosis, stimulates alternative macrophage activation, and contributes to fibrosis and wound healing. In accord with these findings, levels of YKL-40 in the lung and serum are increased in asthma and other inflammatory and remodeling disorders and often correlate with disease severity. Our understanding of the roles of C/CLPs in inflammation, tissue remodeling, and tissue injury in health and disease is reviewed below.
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Authors | Chun Geun Lee, Carla A Da Silva, Charles S Dela Cruz, Farida Ahangari, Bing Ma, Min-Jong Kang, Chuan-Hua He, Seyedtaghi Takyar, Jack A Elias |
Journal | Annual review of physiology
(Annu Rev Physiol)
Vol. 73
Pg. 479-501
( 2011)
ISSN: 1545-1585 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 21054166
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
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Chemical References |
- Adipokines
- CHI3L1 protein, human
- Chil1 protein, mouse
- Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1
- Glycoproteins
- Lectins
- Chitin
- Chitinases
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Topics |
- Adipokines
- Airway Remodeling
(physiology)
- Animals
- Apoptosis
(immunology)
- Atherosclerosis
(enzymology, immunology)
- Chitin
(immunology, metabolism)
- Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1
- Chitinases
(immunology, metabolism)
- Diabetes Mellitus
(enzymology, immunology)
- Giant Cell Arteritis
(enzymology, immunology)
- Glycoproteins
(blood, physiology)
- Humans
- Inflammation
(enzymology)
- Lectins
(blood, physiology)
- Lung Diseases
(enzymology, immunology)
- Mice
- Neoplasms
(enzymology, immunology)
- Oxidative Stress
(drug effects, physiology)
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