Neutrophil elastase decreases SARS-CoV-2 spike protein binding to human bronchial epithelia by clipping ACE-2 ectodomain from the epithelial surface
AB Kummarapurugu, AM Hawkridge, J Ma… - Journal of Biological …, 2023 - ASBMB
Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) have decreased severity of severe acute respiratory
syndrome-like coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections, but the underlying cause is
unknown. Patients with CF have high levels of neutrophil elastase (NE) in the airway. We
examined whether respiratory epithelial angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2), the
receptor for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, is a proteolytic target of NE. Soluble ACE-2
levels were quantified by ELISA in airway secretions and serum from patients with and …
syndrome-like coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections, but the underlying cause is
unknown. Patients with CF have high levels of neutrophil elastase (NE) in the airway. We
examined whether respiratory epithelial angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2), the
receptor for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, is a proteolytic target of NE. Soluble ACE-2
levels were quantified by ELISA in airway secretions and serum from patients with and …
