ACTIVITY AND LOCALIZATION OF CATHEPSIN-B, CATHEPSIN-D AND CATHEPSIN-GIN AORTIC-ANEURYSM

The activities of cathepsin B, D and G, and their distribution in the walls of normal aorta and those of aneurysms of abdominal aorta were s tudied. The immunohistochemical reaction for these cathepsins was posi tive in the aneurysm wall both in the cells and in the extracellular m atrix, It was more apparent than in normal aortas, The activities of c athepsin B, D and G in aneurysm were 1.5 times higher than in normal a ortas, It may be suspected that besides the action of collagenases and elastases the cathepsins participate in an enhanced degradation of co llagen and elastin fibers of aneurysm wall.