ELEVATIONS OF NEUTROPHIL PROTEINASE-3 IN SERUM OF PATIENTS WITH WEGENERS GRANULOMATOSIS AND POLYARTERITIS-NODOSA

Objective. To determine serum levels of proteinase 3 (PR3) in normal s ubjects and patients with Wegener's granulomatosis (WG), polyarteritis nodosa (PAN), chronic renal failure, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods. Serum levels of PR3 were measured by enzyme-linked im munosorbent assay employing a monospecific rabbit polyclonal antibody against PR3. Results. Quantifiable levels of PR3 were detected in all serum samples examined, including those of normal subjects. Marked ele vations of serum PR3, which decreased with treatment, were found in pa tients with active WG. Patients with PAN, SLE, and chronic renal failu re also showed elevated levels of PR3. Conclusion. Quantitating serum PR3 may be useful in the management of patients with WG and other conn ective tissue diseases.