Elastolytic activity in rabbit leukocyte extracts. Effects of the whole leukocyte homogenate on the rabbit lung

Studies performed on dogs treated with whole PMN homogenates from man and different animal species have shown that those obtained from rabbits hardly ever produce pulmonary emphysema. The presence in the cytoplasmic fraction of rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocytes of a powerful inhibitor towards neutral lysosomal proteinases may explain this different action. In this study we have investigated the degree of inhibition developed in vitro by the cytoplasmic fraction of rabbit PMNs towards elastolytic activity of granule (lysosomal) extracts. The whole homogenate of rabbit PMNs shows in comparison with granular fraction, a reduced elastolytic activity in vitro, together with a good emphysema-producing ability. These data and the characteristic aspects of the rabbit enzyme-mediated pulmonary damage are discussed in this study. © 1979.