Interaction of Human Polymorphonuclear Leukocyte (PMN) Elastase with Human 1gM. Production of a Factor Enhancing PMN MigrationIn Vitro

Abstract
Digestion in vitro of human monoclonal 1gM by human polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) elastase produces small peptides in addition to larger fragments. These small peptides were shown to enhance PMN locomotion in vitro, as tested by the migration-under-agarose assay. The small peptides from elastase degradation of the Fc5u portion of the IgM. nolecule also increase PMN migration in vitro. The migration-enhancing factor is stable at 60°C for 20 minutes but is inactivated by boiling for :0 minutes, and has a molecular weight which falls between 1,000 and 10,000 daltons.