Granulocyte collagenase: selective digestion of type I relative to type III collagen.

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Abstract
Collagenases produced by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes, human lung fibroblasts and rabbit pulmonary alveolar macrophages were compared in their ability to digest soluble native type I and type III collagens. While the fibroblast and macrophage collagenases attacked the 2 substrates at approximately equal rates, the leukocyte collagenase attacked type I collagen preferentially (15:1) in comparison to type III collagen. This was true with human or rabbit collagen substrates. Proteolysis of collagen, particularly in acute inflammation, may have a significant role in controlling the types of collagen present in connective tissue.